Offense Quiet, Defense Fails in 12
July 21, 2013 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Lowell Spinners News Release
WILLIAMSPORT, PA - Carlos Asuaje's throw to the plate was wide, and the Lowell Spinners dropped a heartbreaker in 12 innings as the Williamsport Crosscutters walked off with a 2-1 victory in 12 innings on a fielder's choice.
For the Spinners, who are engaged in a dogfight with three other teams for the early-season wildcard lead in the NYew York-Penn League, it was a tough loss to swallow.
Williamsport (17-15) took an early lead in the second inning on a solo homerun by catcher Gabriel Lino.
Lowell (18-14) answered in the fourth as Manuel Margot and Carson Blair walked, sandwiched around a strikeout. Kevin Mager then laced a base hit up the middle to score the speedy Margot to tie the game.
There was no real threat from either team until the 12th, when the Spinners loaded the bases with two outs. However, Jantzen Witte, after hitting a deep fly ball just foul, struck out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 12th, Lino singled to lead off the inning and moved to second on a wild pitch by Spinner closer Greg Larsen (0-2, 2.63). A single by Jiandido Tromp put runners on corners, so manager Bruce Crabbe elected to walk the next batter to load the bases and hope for the forceout. That's just what he got, as a groundball hit to Asuaje seemed tailor-made for a fielder's choice, but his throw pulled Blair off the plate and Lino slid under the tag for the winning run, sending the small crowd left into celebration.
The game marked the debut of 2013 2nd round pick of the Boston Red Sox, Teddy Stankiewicz. "Stank" had been with the Spinners since mid-June, but just recently began a throwing program to get ready for live game action. He threw just one inning, retiring the Crosscutters in order.
Sergio Gomez relieved and struggled with control, reaching his pitch count in just three innings as he walked three, though he increased his team-leading strikeout total to 36 with six punchouts. Matt Maloney and Carlos Pinales combined for four straight innings of scoreless relief, retiring all 12 batters they faced, with Pinales striking out three in his three innings of work. Larsen was able to hold off the Crosscutters for three innings, before allowing the winning run in his season-high fourth inning of work in the 12th.
Lowell's offense continues to scuffle on this road trip, as the team could only manage five hits, with Jose Colorado picking up two.
Mario Alcantara (2-2, 3.38) closes the road trip tomorrow night as the Spinners complete their series with Williamsport at 7:05 p.m.
New York-Penn League Stories from July 21, 2013
- ValleyCats Get Even - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Cutters Walk Off Spinners - Williamsport Crosscutters
- Sunday's Spikes-Tigers Game Suspended in Fifth - State College Spikes
- Vermont Win Streaks Come To End With 5-3 Loss Sunday - Vermont Lake Monsters
- Offense Quiet, Defense Fails in 12 - Lowell Spinners
- Tonight's Game Suspended - Norwich Sea Unicorns
- IronBirds Shuffle Past Jammers 8-3 - Jamestown Jammers
- Scrappers Split a Pair in Staten Island - Mahoning Valley Scrappers
- Aberdeen Walks Past Jamestown, 8-3 - Aberdeen IronBirds
- State College Spikes Game Notes - July 21 vs. Connecticut - State College Spikes
- Game Notes: IronBirds at Jammers - Aberdeen IronBirds
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
