Southpaws Started the Game Off, But Righties Finished It

By Rodger M. Wood

Catcher Alex Dunlap, Pitching Coach Sam Narron and Starting Pitcher Tim Cate

On this hot June day, Harrisburg Senators rookie LHP Tim Cate battled savvy veteran Portland Sea Dogs LHP Matthew Kent for 5 innings before allowing a run that put the Sea Dogs ahead 1 - 0. In the 2nd and 4th innings, the 23 - year old Cate struck out a batter with a wicked curve ball to strand two opposing base runners. In 5 innings pitched, he allowed only one run, 5 hits, and struck out 4 batters.

Tim Cate Reaches Back For a Fast Ball

A Washington Nationals' 2018 second round draft pick, 65th overall, Cate threw 52 IP at Rookie A Auburn and Low A - Hagerstown in 2018 and 143.2 IP at Hagerstown and Fast A Potomac in 2019. His curve ball is described by scouts as having teeth and depth. He sets it up as his out pitch with a 92 mph fast ball and change up.

Tim Cate Shows Me His Fast Ball

Mixing his pitches up effectively, the savvy 28 - year old AA - ball Portland veteran Matthew Kent allowed no runs, and

6 hits, while striking out three Senators in just his first start of the 2021 campaign. Twice he too closed out innings with runners in scoring position.

RHP Matthew Kent Keeps Batters Off Balance

Drafted in the 13th Round, 381st by the Boston Red Sox in 2015, the Texas A&M alumnae has thrown over 700 IP in 132 games at Rookie A - Lowell in 2015, Low A - Greenville and Fast A - Salem in 2016 and 2017, AA- Portland and AAA - Pawtucket in 2018-2019. While mostly starting in his first five minor league seasons, he has worked out of the bullpen the beginning of 2021, and made his first start of the season in today's game.

After both lefties departed the game in the 6th, both teams' bullpens continued the fight to the game's end. Sea Dogs RHP Zack Kelly, and Jake Thompson blanked the Senators without a hit or run in the 7th and 8th innings, and stopper Joae Adames closed the game out in the 9th for his 8th save of the season.

In relief of Cate, Senators LHP Nick Wells allowed a run on Tanner Nishioka's double in the 6th, but threw a shutout 7th inning before RHP John Romero and Gabe Klobosits shut down the side in the 8th and 9th.

Senators pitchers struck out Sea Dogs cleanup hitter and catcher, Ronaldo Hernandez three times but the 23 year old Colombian looked strong behind the plate and has hit 3 HR in 87AB in 2021.

Ronaldo Hernandez Hits Away

Senators prospect LF and leadoff hitter Cole Freeman got 1 for 4 AB, hustled on every play and chased down every ball in the outfield.

Cole Freeman Hits the Ball In the 5th

It was another old time baseball game at Harrisburg today, good pitching and good defense, and the way the game should be played. The southpaw pitchers battled for five innings, and then the righties came in to close the game out. Pitchers fought off rallies and the game went by too fast! Portland 2 Harrisburg 0!