Pitching Shines as Spinners Open Season with Win
June 17, 2013 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Lowell Spinners News Release
NORWICH, CONN. - Three Lowell Spinners pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts and the team took advantage of a booted groundball in the ninth inning to score the only run of the game, as the Spinners opened the 2013 season with a 1-0 squeaker over the Connecticut Tigers on Monday night at Dodd Stadium.
For manager Bruce Crabbe, it was his 100th victory as manager of the Spinners.
The game was scoreless through eight innings, with each team only mustering one threat each.
In the third inning, the Spinners put runners on first and second with one out, but could do nothing more.
In the Tiger half of the sixth inning, the home team loaded the bases with one out against rehabbing Chris Carpenter, but a fly ball and a laser to home plate from Williams Jerez quelled the threat.
Lowell (1-0) took advantage of a bit of luck in the ninth inning as Kendrick Perkins drew a one-out walk, stole second and then scored as Connecticut (0-1) second baseman Dominic Ficociello booted a groundball from Jerez and Perkins scooted home.
Spinner starter Sergio Gomez was almost untouchable, giving up just one hit over five innings, striking out eight without walking a batter. The native of Cartagena, Colombia retired the first seven batters he faced, and then after a double in the third, set down the last eight batters after that. Carpenter, rehabbing from Triple-A Pawtucket, struggled in the sixth but was able to work out of trouble thanks to Jerez, striking out one. Jonathan Aro (1-0, 0.00) was almost as dominant as Gomez, striking out six Tigers in three innings for the victory.
The Spinners had just four hits, and they came from the bottom of the order, with Cleluis Rondon and David Sopilka collecting two singles each.
The Spinners complete this short, two-game road trip in Connecticut tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m as Mario Alcantara (0-0, 0.00) gets the ball for his first start of the 2013 season before the two teams head north to LeLacheur Park for the Spinners' home opener Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m.
New York-Penn League Stories from June 17, 2013
- Crosscutters Begin 2013 With A Win - Williamsport Crosscutters
- Strong Pitching, Solid Hitting Defeats Scrappers in Opener - Mahoning Valley Scrappers
- Spikes Fall to Crosscutters, 4-2, as Club Celebrates Millionth Fan - State College Spikes
- Renegades Begin Title Defense with 5-0 Win - Hudson Valley Renegades
- IronBirds Shut out in Opening Day Loss - Aberdeen IronBirds
- CT Tigers Open Season with Tough Loss - Norwich Sea Unicorns
- Pitching Shines as Spinners Open Season with Win - Lowell Spinners
- Lake Monsters Drop Season Opener 9-3 At Tri-City Monday - Vermont Lake Monsters
- Spikes vs. Crosscutters - Game Notes - June 17, 2013 - State College Spikes
- CT Tigers Announce Opening Day Roster - Norwich Sea Unicorns
- IronBirds Set For Opening Day - Aberdeen IronBirds
- Spikes Set to Open Season - State College Spikes
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