Balk-Off Sends Spinners Home Victorious in 11, 6-5
July 12, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Lowell Spinners News Release
LOWELL, MASS. - On the first 90 degree day of the summer, fans of all sizes and shapes on Bark in the Park Day saw a bit of everything, culminating in the Spinners snapping their three-game losing streak on a walk-off catcher's balk to defeat the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 6-5, Sunday afternoon at LeLacheur Park.
In addition to the catcher's balk, runs twice scored as a result of third strike wild pitches, there was a 5-3-6 double play turned by the Spinners and a Mahoning Valley pitcher who was not allowed to pitch after he was found to not be on the line-up card.
Mahoning Valley (7-15) jumped out to a 1-0 lead as most fans were still settling into their seats. A leadoff walk by Willi Castro paid off for the Scrappers as Castro took second on a balk and came around to score on a Mark Mathias double.
The Scrappers would add to their lead in the second on a pair of back-to-back two-out doubles by Silento Sayles and Castro pushed the Mahoning Valley lead to 3-0.
Lowell (14-9) got on the board in the second inning on an RBI single from Mitch Gunsolus. The Spinners proceeded to load the bases and scored a second run when Luis Basabe struck out but advanced to first as Lorenzana scored on a wild pitch by Mahoning Valley's Dominic DeMasi to pull the Spinners within a run.
The Spinners took the lead in the third after a one-out walks by Tucker Tubbs and Chad De La Guerra, Hector Lorenzana singled in both to give Lowell a 4-3 lead.
The lead was short lived as Mahoning Valley got a run in the fifth when Randy Perez's third out recorded via strikeout got past Jhon Nunez and Nunez's throw to first was wild, allowing Nathan Winfrey, who started the play on second base, to score and tie things up.
Lowell answered in the fifth inning when Tate Matheny led off the inning with a single. After he advanced to second on a groundout, Matheny stole third and scored when the throw went into left field.
The score remained there until the eighth when David Armendariz greeted Bobby Poyner with a home run off the video board in left field on the first pitch he saw.
The score remained tied into the 11th when Jeremy Rivera led off the inning with a walk. Victor Acosta attempted to sacrifice him to second but laid down a perfect bunt that resulted in a single. After Tucker Tubbs sacrificed both men over, the Scrappers had a meeting on the mound and before the next pitch could be thrown, a catcher's balk was called on Li-Jen Chu for leaving the catcher's box before the pitch was thrown, plating Rivera with the winning run.
Luis Ramos started, allowing three runs on seven hits and a pair of walks over four innings, striking out one. Randy Perez was stellar in three innings of relief, allowing just the unearned run on one hit, striking out a pair. Poyner allowed the leadoff home run, but was otherwise clean through two innings, striking out two. Edwar Garcia (3-0, 1.46) picked up the win with two scoreless, striking out one.
Gunsolus had a two-hit game, driving in a run, while every starter but Jordon Austin reached base at least once.
The Spinners conclude the series Monday night when Jake Cosart (1-1, 6.08) gets the ball for a 7:05 first pitch. It is Vietnam Veterans Night at LeLacheur Park with complimentary admission for all Vietnam veterans.
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