Photo courtesy StadiumJourney.com

Behind an exceptional start by Caleb Clay and stellar work by three relievers, the Senators shutout the Altoona Curve 4-0 in the second game in their four-game set.

Clay scattered four hits and struck out five in his six scoreless innings that were sorely needed by the Harrisburg pitching staff. The righthander lasted 86 pitches before deferring to Matt Swynenberg, Marcos Frias, and Aaron Barrett for an inning apiece.

The Senators’ offense chipped away at Pirates #2 prospect Jameson Taillon to take a 2-0 lead before the bullpen took over. Harrisburg added two insurance runs in the ninth inning on a pinch-hit Sean Nicol Texas League single and a Jose Lozada bases-loaded walk.

Player of the Game: Caleb Clay

From the Windup

• In his first professional game at shortstop, Anthony Rendon played flawless defense with two assists and two putouts.

• Steven Souza continues to impress as he crushed a massive home run in the fourth inning way over the bleachers in left and added another outfield assist, his third on the young season, to cut down Stefan Welch trying to stretch a double into a triple.

• Prior to Friday night’s game, the Senators had been outscored 21-11 in the first three innings and 18-4 in the middle three.

• Saddled with the loss, Curve starter Jameson Taillon struck out a career-high ten batters in his six innings of work.