Portland’s 0-4 start is the worst in team history.
ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) – Nate McLouth and Gary Thomas drove in two runs apiece and the Altoona Curve matched the best start in franchise history with a 6-1 win over the Portland Sea Dogs on Sunday in the Eastern League.

Altoona (4-0) equaled its club-record start from 2000, while Portland (0-4) is off to its worst start ever. The Curve scored five runs in the seventh inning to pull away from a 1-1 tie.

McLouth’s single to left scored Brandon Chaves to start Altoona’s big seventh inning against Portland reliever Jason Howell (0-1). Jeff Keppinger ripped a bases-loaded single three batters later to score two runs, and Thomas, who went 3-for-4, tripled in two more to make it 6-1.

Portland tied it in the sixth when Joe Kilburg came home on a throwing error by pitcher Bryan Bullington, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 draft, who gave up the one unearned run on four hits over five-plus innings in his Double-A debut.

Brandon Agamennone (1-0) tossed 2 1-3 scoreless innings of relief for the win.