Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short In Loss, 6-3
June 14, 2014 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Lowell Spinners News Release
LOWELL, MASS. - It was Pirate Night at LeLacheur Park but the Spinners ended up walking the plank, leaving the tying run at the plate as a ninth inning rally fell short with the Vermont Lake Monsters prevailing, 6-3, Saturday evening in front of a crowd of 4,763.
Representing the potential tying run, Mike Meyers grounded out to second and the Spinners wasted an opportunity to take advantage of four Vermont errors in defeat.
The Lake Monsters got out to an early lead for the second consecutive night as a one out walk by Dayton Alexander was followed by a Scott Masik double. A Joe Bennie groundout brought home Alexander to give Vermont a 1-0 lead.
Vermont (1-1) would add to their lead in the second inning, taking advantage of a strike three wild pitch that would have been the second out. After a wild pitch, a throwing error by Deiner Lopez allowed a run to score. After a fly out, a bunt single scored a second run and the Lake Monsters moved ahead, 3-0.
The Lake Monsters continued to pile it on in the third inning plating a run on back-to-back doubles by Bennie and Justin Higley. An Andy Paz double plated two more before Spinners' starter Heri Quevedo could escape the inning after Vermont had a comfortable 6-0 lead.
Lowell (1-1) did get a run back in the bottom half of the inning on a Nick Moore home run to right-centerfield. There was some debate as to whether it was actually a home run, but after a conference between the two umpires the call stood and Moore had his first home run of the season.
The Spinners would add another run in the fifth as they continued to chip away at the lead. Mauricio Dubon started the brief rally with a two-out single before Meyers reached on an error. A Lopez RBI single brought home Dubon to cut the lead to 6-2.
The score would remain there until the ninth when the Spinners staged a late rally. After a leadoff walk by Alixon Suarez, Moore singled through the hole. A pitching change didn't change the success rate for Vermont, as Raymel Flores walked to load the bases. A Bryan Hudson groundout scored Suarez, but Dubon popped out before Meyers ended it for a 6-3 final.
The Spinners had just six hits, as they could not take advantage of the Vermont miscues. Moore and Dubon each had two hit games, but the Spinners went just 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position, stranding nine.
Quevedo (0-1, 12.00) struggled in his first start of the 2014 season, allowing six runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk, striking out one. Oscar Perez kept the Spinners in the game with four shutout innings, striking out two while allowing just three hits. Rob Smorol closed out the game with two scoreless frames, striking out two.
The Spinners conclude their opening homestand with the rubber match with Vermont Sunday afternoon. It's Father's Day at LeLacheur Park and dads will have the chance for pre-game catch in the outfield (12-12:30) and post-game run the bases. Leftie Jake Drehoff is on the mound for a 1:05 first pitch.
New York-Penn League Stories from June 14, 2014
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- Deja-Vu For Win Number Two - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Renegades Walk Off Again, 4-3 in 11 Innings - Aberdeen IronBirds
- CT Tigers Take Advantage of ValleyCats Errors - Norwich Sea Unicorns
- Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short In Loss, 6-3 - Lowell Spinners
- Lake Monsters double-up on Lowell - Vermont Lake Monsters
- State College Spikes Game Notes - June 14 vs. Williamsport - State College Spikes
- Notes: IronBirds at Renegades - Aberdeen IronBirds
- Lightning Strikes Twice At The Dutch - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Jammers Come up Just Short on Opening Night - Jamestown Jammers
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