Justin Connell hit a two-run home run in the first inning, but the Harrisburg Senators couldn’t hold the lead in a 9-4 loss to Hartford Thursday night in Hartford. The Yard Goats scored a run in the first and four more in the second and never looked back. The Senators did bring the tying run to the plate with two outs in the eighth inning, but a strikeout ended the threat.

LHP Tim Cate made his first start for the Senators this season in front of his hometown crowd. He went three innings and allowed six runs on nine hits. He faced 20 batters in the three frames. Francys Peguero followed and tossed three scoreless frames and faced just 11 batters. Edgar Garcia allowed two runs in one inning of work. Alberto Guerrero also allowed a run in one inning of work.

Along with his two-run home run, Connell also doubled and scored twice. The first five batters in the Senators' order all had two hits. Jack Dunn and John Nogowski both singled twice and scored a run. Wilson Garcia and Andrew Young singled, with Young driving in a run.

Harrisburg went 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position while Hartford went 7-for-15. The Sens have homered in seven straight games with Connell's home run.