DEFENDERS STIFLE SENATORS AGAIN, 3-2
Maroul's late homer the difference
The Harrisburg Senators got another terrific start from a pitcher, but were again slowed by a tough Connecticut Defenders pitching staff, falling 3-2 Wednesday at Commerce Bank Park. The Senators left 10 runners on base and Dave Maroul’s solo home run in the 9th inning gave the Defenders the win. RHP Tristan Crawford received a no-decision despite throwing six strong innings. He allowed a run on five hits and struck out six without a walk. The Defenders scored a run in the top of the 4th when Travis Ishikawa muscled an RBI double down the right-field line to take a 1-0 lead. Justin Maxwell didn’t allow the deficit to last long, clobbering a home run to left to lead off the bottom of the frame to make it 1-1. The Senators took the lead in the bottom of the 6th. Ian Desmond’s sacrifice fly gave Harrisburg a 2-1 advantage. Connecticut tied the game against reliever Josh Perrault in the top of the 7th. He walked the leadoff batter and after a double by Dave Maroul, runners were at second and third with nobody out. Two batters later, pinch-hitter Kyle Haines hit an RBI groundout to tie it at 2-2. The Defenders scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 9th on Maroul’s solo home run off Beltran Perez. Reliever Kelvin Pichardo got the win to improve to 1-2 on the season. Osiris Matos notched his second save of the season. Perez was saddled with the loss and dropped to 1-1. The Senators are 20-12 on the season, while the Defenders improved to 16-16. The series concludes Thursday at Commerce Bank Park. RHP Shairon Martis (2-0, 2.78ERA) takes the ball for the Senators in a 12:05 PM start.
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