HARTFORD, CT. – Altoona nearly rallied for another comeback victory on Friday night, however, Hartford hung on for a 6-5 win over the Curve at Dunkin Park in Eastern League baseball play.

All four games in the series have been decided by one run so far this week.

Trailing by two runs entering the ninth, Altoona picked up three straight hits to start the final inning, and loaded the bases with nobody out. Lonnie White Jr. singled home a run with a hit to left, however, Hartford righty Andrew Baker struck out three straight hitters to strand the tying run at third and go-ahead run at second for the Curve.

Righty Peyton Stumbo battled throughout his longest start of the campaign, 5• innings. He allowed a pair of homers, including a three-run shot in the first inning by Connor Capel, and a solo shot from Bryant Betancourt in the sixth. He struck out six on 79 pitches, 57 strikes.

Altoona got another strong day at the plate from Titus Dumitru with a solo homer in the second and an RBI double in the third. He has recorded five extra-base hits in four games this week at Hartford.

Derek Berg picked up two hits and a walk and drove in a pair with a single in the fifth inning. Berg has a hit in seven straight games stretching back to May 17, batting .345 (10-for-29) with two doubles, three home runs and six RBI in that time.

Keiner Delgado, P.J. Hilson and White Jr. joined Dumitru and Berg with two-hit games that saw the Curve total 13 knocks and three walks.

Cy Nielson and Alessandro Ercolani combined for 2 ª innings of scoreless relief, allowing just two baserunners, and a pair of strikeouts. Nielson has been unscored upon in 13 of his last 16 outings this season, and Ercolani has allowed just one run across his last 8 ª innings on the mound.

Next stop

Saturday: Altoona at Hartford, 6:10 p.m.

Pitchers: Curve RHP Mat Ager vs. Yard Goats TBA

Sunday: Altoona at Hartford, 1 p.m.

Radio: Both games on WRTA-FM 98.5