Photo courtesy Terry Byrom

Who knew the place the Senators would find their pitching legs was Altoona?

After an opening seven-game homestand that saw their team ERA balloon to a league-worst 7.34, the Senators desperately needed their starting pitching to effectively go deeper into games. It would keep the offense from digging out of a perpetual hole and ease the stress on the bullpen.

After stellar starts by Caleb Clay and Nate Karns on successive days, Sunday’s series finale belonged to Brian Broderick. The 6’6″ righthander struggled with his control but ended up holding the Curve off the scoreboard other than an Andy Vasquez home run leading off the bottom of the third inning. Broderick went five innings throwing 85 pitches as he scattered five hits and three walks to earn his first victory of the season.

Nine of the team’s ten hits were collected by the Senators’ first three batters in the order as Brian Goodwin (3-5, 3 R, 2 2B), Jose Lozada (2-5, 2 RBI), as Anthony Rendon (4-4, 2 RBI, 2 2B) led the offense.

Player of the Game: Anthony Rendon

From the Windup

• Prior to the game, Jeff Howell was called up to Syracuse and Kris Watts was activated off the disabled list as a by-product of the Wilson Ramos injury. Also, Steven Souza’s shoulder issue might be a little more than that as he was placed on the DL after he first felt some tightness at the end of batting practice on Wednesday.

• Trevor Holder continued his hot start as he fired another three scoreless innings. Holder has now thrown nine innings to begin the season without allowing a run.

• The Senators’ pitching staff rose to the occasion in their four-game series with the Curve. Over 36 innings, they compiled a 1.75 ERA (and 1.08 WHIP) and struck out 30 batters.