MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-ALTOONA, PA-The Defenders could never get anything started as they were shutout 4-0 by the Altoona Curve Saturday night at Blair County Ballpark.

Altoona broke the scoreless tie in the fourth inning as 1B-Jamie Romak pulled a solo homerun just inside the leftfield foul pole and the Curve cruised from there evening the series at one game a piece.

The Curve added to their lead in the fifth inning with patience as Defender's starter, LHP-Jesse English (4-4) showed signs of fatigue loading the bases then walking 3B-Hector Gimenez allowing CF-Jose Tabata to score who reached on a fielder's choice. English exited the ballgame immediately after compiling 4.2 innings of work allowing two earned runs off of four hits, walked a season high seven batters and fanned five in the loss.

Curve starter, RHP-Mike Crotta (4-3) turned in an impressive outing keeping Defenders batters off balanced hurling six scoreless innings allowing just three hits, walked a pair and fanned three in the win.
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The game had a 46 minute delay at the end of the sixth due to lightning and rain causing the departure of Crotta but reliever, RHP-Sean Smith was just as good hurling three scoreless innings in relief, allowing just one hit and striking out five.

The Curve sealed the win with Romak's second homerun in the eighth inning but this time brought a friend in 3B-Hector Gimenez who singled to leadoff the inning, Altoona led 4-0.

Connecticut's best opportunity came in the second inning after LF-Bobby Felmy leadoff with a single and moved to third on two groundouts but a walk to C-Jackson Williams brought up P-Jesse English who struck out. Felmy finished 2-4 and was the only Defender to have two hits in the loss.

Tomorrow's series finale will be a rubber match between Defender's RHP-Daryl Maday (2-2) and Curve LHP-Daniel Moskos (4-5)as Connecticut looks for their ninth road series victory. The Father's Day game is scheduled for 6:05pm from Blair County Ballpark.

Catch all the action starting with the Defenders Pre-Game Show at 6:50pm on the Defenders Flagship Station WICH 1310AM or online atctdefenders.com.

Box Score

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