HARTFORD, Conn. — Cole Tucker hit a two-out, two-run homer in the seventh inning and Brandon Waddell pitched six scoreless frames as the Altoona Curve blanked the Hartford Yard Goats, 2-0, on Monday night at Dunkin Donuts Park.

(Photo: Cole Tucker. Photo courtesy of Altoona Curve)

The Curve (66-60) moved back into a first-place tie with Bowie. The Yard Goats (58-68) were officially mathematically eliminated from playoff contention with the loss.

With Anderson Feliz at second base, Tucker clubbed his first Double-A homer over the left field wall against Jack Wynkoop (Loss, 5-9), the only mark on the Hartford starting pitcher’s line.

Waddell (Win, 3-3) worked through six scoreless innings and allowed four hits with no walked and four strikeouts before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning.

Luis Heredia pitched the seventh and recorded the first two outs before Hartford put three consecutive batters on base, but he worked a groundout to escape the inning. Yeudy Garcia worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning with two strikeouts.

Tate Scioneaux (Save, 14) allowed one hit in a scoreless bottom of the ninth to close out the game.

The Curve and Yard Goats continue the series on Tuesday night. Right-hander Mitch Keller ​(0-1, 3.00) will make his fourth start of the season for the Curve, opposed by Hartford right-hander Nick Additon (0-1, 3.12). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Dunkin Donuts Park.