The bleeding has finally stopped.

After losing its previous five series, the Altoona Curve started climbing up the win column again. As of yesterday, the team was 3-1 in its last four games and had peaked its head above the .500 mark again. The biggest difference in the Curve's play of late has been the offense. Altoona scored 34 runs in the four games.

Of course, the competition has also helped a little. Two of the three wins came in a series victory over the last-place Bowie Bay Sox. Bowie is a dismal 35-64 this season and has been the floor mat for all Eastern League teams.

However, part of being a contending team is beating the teams that you are supposed to beat and the Curve was able to do that in the series.

"You've got to get your wins, especially against a team that has been struggling," infielder Kevin Sefcik said.

Monday night, Altoona continued the winning ways by blowing away the Harrisburg Senators, 9-0. Harrisburg, unlike Bowie, has been a good team this season. The Senators have the third best record of the 12 EL teams and they sit 4 1/2 games ahead of the Curve. Beating good teams helps confidence and right now Altoona has gained some of that and is looking to get on a role.

"You always want to win the series," infielder Joe Caruso said. "If we start winning a lot of series maybe we can jump into second place and make it to the playoffs."

He's just Sick

If the Curve had its way, J.J. Davis would be sick all season long.

The right fielder has been an RBI machine at the plate lately. In Sunday's game against Bowie, Davis smashed a pair of two-run doubles and helped cap the Curve's 13-4 victory by driving a solo home run over the leftfield wall.

Monday night, Davis singled, doubled and had another home run, this one of the three run variety. His play helped the team down the Senators in the opening game of a four game set.

The amazing thing about Davis' power display is that it came while he was feeling ill and not himself.

"I was congested and had a nose virus," Davis said. "I still feel weak but I want to go out there and play."

Curve manager Dale Sveum wasn't even going to play his power-hitting outfielder in Monday's game because he had felt so sick the day before. However, Davis said he could play, even though he still felt weak at game time.Whatever Davis has other players are interested in contracting it.

"I'll take whatever he's got," Caruso said.

Hitting the Mark

Kevin Sefcik is used to success.

Some of you probably remember Sefcik, who played parts of five seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. He compiled a .275 batting average in the 771 Major League at bats he has had in his career.

It is a minor league mark that has Sefcik being recognized now. Monday night Sefcik singled to stretch his on base-streak to 22 games and his hitting streak to 17.

Those numbers put him alongside current Pirate and Curve legend Adam Hyzdu. Sefcik is currently one behind Hyzdu's franchise record for consecutive games with a hit and is now tied with his 22-game on-base streak.

The accomplishment is something that Sefcik was excited about, but he still put it in perspective.

"It's only been like two weeks, and there have been a lot of long ones," Sefcik said. "When you get into 30 and 40 then you start getting somewhere. But yeah, I'd like to break it."

Who's Hot

J.J. Davis: Davis had six hits, eight RBIs and two home runs in two games. He is third on the team with nine round-trippers, behind Carlos Rivera (15) and Shawn Garrett (10).

Kevin Sefcik: Sefcik hit safely in 17 straight games and has been driving in runs too. New to the Curve this year, Sefcik has gotten past the adjustment period and is now batting .297, second best on the team.

Who's not

John Grabow: Grabow (4-10) seems to be getting worse as the season progresses. He gave up six runs in a loss to Bowie Saturday and now has an ERA of 6.50.