While Potomac took the 2-1 lead it was seeking with a decisive 7-1 win over Frederick, the news was not so good from Harrisburg, as the Senators dropped a 7-2 decision to the Altoona Curve.
Curve prospect Justin Wilson battled with his control (five walks in six innings pitched) but the Senators could not solve the 23-year-old, who allowed just two hits and struck out seven. Meanwhile, Ryan Tatusko was touched for three runs in the third as he gave up eight hits and two walks total over six innings. For the second straight night, the Senator bullpen was ineffective, surrendering four runs in three innings.
But you can’t win if you don’t score, and the string of goose eggs on the board wasn’t broken until the bottom of the ninth, as Adam Fox homered to break up the shutout. Harrisburg would collect just six hits total and strand eight base runners, going 1-for-10 with RISP.
Tanner Roark (1-1, 2.50) takes the hill late this afternoon, opposed by Tony Watson (6-4, 2.67), as Harrisburg looks to force a Game 5 tomorrow afternoon in Altoona.
For the bullet-point folks…
| Team | Pitching Star | Hitting Star #1 | Hitting Star #2 |
| Harrisburg Senators L, 7-2 |
Cory VanAllen 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 0K |
Josh Johnson 1-1, 3BB |
Steve Lombardozzi 2-4, BB |
| Potomac Nationals W, 7-1 |
Jimmy Barthmaier (W, 1-0) 5⅔IP 2H 0R 1BB 7K |
Bill Rhinehart 2-3, R, BB, HR, 3RBI |
Tyler Moore 2-4, R, HR, RBI |