MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-NORWICH, CT – The Altoona Curve did their best to rally late, but the Connecticut Defenders (AA – San Francisco) were able to survive a late scare and hold on to a 5-1 lead at Dodd Stadium on Friday night.

Jamie Romak drove in Jim Negrych for the only run for Altoona in the top half of the ninth inning.

The loss for Altoona (19-42) is their fifth in a row and puts the team a franchise-worst 23 games under .500. Altoona has lost five in a row for the second time this season and it is the second-worst losing streak the team has endured to date this year. The Curve began the 2009 season with eight-straight losses.
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Curve righty Brad Lincoln allowed a season-high nine hits over 5.0 innings of work, permitting five runs (three earned) over that time and suffered the loss.

Connecticut (35-26) lefty Jesse English recorded the win after tossing 5.2 innings allowing just three hits. English gave way to relievers Dan Griffith and Mike Musgrave who combined to allowed just one run on two hits the rest of the game.

Altoona will look to snap their losing skip when they send RHP Yoslan Herrera (3-0, 3.72) to the hill. Connecticut will counter with San Francisco’s top-rated prospect, lefty Madison Bumgarner (4-0, 1.86). Game time is 6:35 p.m. with radio coverage beginning at 6:20 on flagship station ESPN Radio 1430, WVAM and Altoona Curve Radio Network affiliate stations.

NOTES: OF Jose Tabata did not start for the second consecutive game as a precaution for minor cramping he experienced in his left leg. Tabata spent 37 days on the disabled list with a right hamstring strain…UTL Hector Gimenez had a season-high six-game losing streak snapped…The Altoona Curve are 0-7 against E.L. North

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