Altoona hands B-Mets their 5th straight loss

6/30/2012 (Updated 7/1/2012 12:12:32 AM)

BINGHAMTON -- Zack Wheeler allowed a season-high seven runs on nine hits and the Binghamton Mets extended their losing streak to a season-long five games in an 8-2 loss to the Altoona Curve. The B-Mets' seventh-straight loss at home puts them seven games under .500, a new low-water mark in 2012.

The game started with high promise for the B-Mets as Wheeler faced just one over the minimum through four shutout innings and Reese Havens blasted a leadoff homer in the fourth against Tim Alderson.

The lead would not last for long. The Curve struck back for three runs in the fifth against Wheeler. Altoona loaded the bases with three straight singles and tied the game on a sac fly from Drew Maggi. Brock Holt gave the visitors the lead for good with a two-run single up the middle.

Wheeler helped his own cause and cut the deficit to one in the fifth. With two outs and Wilfredo Tovar at second, Wheeler dumped a run-scoring double to left for his first career hit and RBI.

It would be the last highlight for the righty. Wheeler allowed two more runs in the sixth and was chased from the game when Matt Curry stroked a two-run double down the first base line in the seventh. Altoona added another run in the eighth against relievers Brad Holt and Adrian Rosario.

Alderson (4-3) capped his fourth win with a perfect sixth. The righty allowed two runs on five hits and struck out two before giving way to Mike Colla. A former starter, Colla took the game to the finish line, allowing just one hit over three shutout innings to earn his second save. Wheeler (7-4) was saddled with the loss.

The B-Mets (36-43) look to snap their longest home losing skid since July 2007 Sunday afternoon at 1:05 PM. RHP Cory Mazzoni takes the rubber against RHP Matt McSwain.

(Courtesy: B-Mets)

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