Spinners Falling Into a Pattern
July 19, 2014 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Lowell Spinners News Release
AUBURN, NY - For the second time on this road trip, and what seems like a once-a-week occurrence for the Lowell Spinners, a lead late in the game turned into defeat as the Auburn Doubledays scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs to rally for a 5-4 victory Saturday night.
Lowell (15-20) put three runs on the board before most fans were in their seats as Danny Mars singled, moved to second as Deiner Lopez was hit by a pitch and after both runners advanced on a wild pitch, Sam Travis continued to hit well with runners in scoring position, as he dropped a two-run single into left field. Jordan Betts followed, reaching on an error and after another wild pitch, Mike Meyers knocked in the team's third run with an RBI groundout.
Auburn (16-18) came right back, however, in the home half of the inning as three of the first four batters reached via single and a two-base error by Betts with the bases loaded let in two runs.
The Spinners protected their lead throughout the game with some smart defense with a running catch in the fourth inning by Meyers and in the sixth inning as Mauricio Dubon fielded a groundball and cut down the runner who was advancing from second to third with one out.
The game then became a series of matching zeros on the scoreboard until the seventh as Meyers led off the inning with a walk, moved to third on two wild pitches and trotted home on Alixon Suarez's RBI double.
However, in the bottom of the eighth, the tide turned. Chandler Shepherd was cruising, getting the first two outs on a strikeout and a flyout, but after a double by Auburn rightfielder Wilman Rodriguez, an infield single by designated hitter Jose Marmolejos pulled Travis out of position to allow Rodriguez to score from second. The very next pitch that Shepherd threw was crushed, high over the left field wall by first baseman Diomedes Eusebio, and the Spinners suffered another late-inning collapse.
Lowell starter Ty Buttrey, who is currently rehabbing with the team from Low-A Greenville, hit his pitch count in the bottom of the third inning. He left with the bases loaded after being touched for Auburn's first two runs, but Oscar Perez was able to work out of the jam. Perez then proceeded to hold the lead over the next three innings, working out of minor jams in the fifth and sixth thanks to his defense. Shepherd (1-2, 6.08) lost his second game in six days, once again suffering a blown save in the process.
Travis, who came into the game hitting .421 with runners in scoring position, picked up his 19th and 20th RBI in the first inning with his single while Meyers reached base twice, knocked in a run and played sparkling defense in right field to help his pitchers.
Aaron Wilkerson, who recently joined the team after having his contract purchased by the Red Sox from Grand Prairie of the independent American Association, will make his first affiliated start tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 5:05 p.m.
New York-Penn League Stories from July 19, 2014
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- Spinners Falling Into a Pattern - Lowell Spinners
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