Spinners Go Extra Lengeths Then Hang On
August 29, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Lowell Spinners News Release
NORWICH, CT - It took 10 innings and a game-ending doubleplay, but the Lowell Spinners escaped Connecticut with a much needed victory, scoring three in the 10th and then holding on for dear life to take a 4-3 win over the Tigers Saturday night at Dodd Stadium.
The win keeps the Spinners within fighting range of the Tri-City ValleyCats, who hold a 2.5 game lead in the Stedler Division, and in the crowded Wild Card pack with nine games to play.
Lowell (34-33) broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning after Tyler Spoon reached on a one-out error. Chad De La Guerra would move Spoon to third with a single and Josh Ockimey brought him home to give the Spinners a 1-0 lead.
After six-scoreless innings from Jose Almonte, Connecticut (31-32) broke through against Matt Kent in the seventh inning. After Kent struck out the first batter he faced, a single by Joey Havrilak was followed by a Shane Zeile double, evening the score at one.
The Spinners had a chance to take the lead in the ninth, after Tate Matheny and Mitch Gunsolus reached to lead off the inning. However after a failed sacrifice attempt, a force-out, strike out and ground out left the Spinners empty handed.
Lowell did not waste their opportunities in the 10th however after Jeremy Rivera led off the inning with a walk. After Spoon could not get the bunt down and struck out, the Tigers did the job for him and a wild pitch moved Rivera into scoring position. De La Guerra was walked intentionally and after Ockimey went down swinging, Matheny singled off the shortstop's glove to plate Rivera and give the Spinners a lead. Insurance runs would come on base hits from Gunsolus and Jhon Nunez and they would be needed.
With closer Bobby Poyner on to protect the three-run lead in the bottom half, the Tigers pounced immediately. After the first two men reached, a one-out double by Jose Zambrano put the tying run on second. An Aneudis Peralta error made it a one-run game, but also set-up the double play which Poyner induced to get out of Dodd with a 4-3 win.
Nunez paced the Spinners nine-hit attack with a three-hit night, while Ockimey had a pair of hits. For the second time this week, Matheny delivered the clutch hit to give the Spinners a lead.
Almonte was spectacular, allowing just two hits and two walks over six scoreless. He struck out four. Kent (7-1, 2.00) suffered the blown save but picked up the win. He allowed the one run on three hits and a walk, striking out three over three innings. Poyner picked up his ninth save by walking the tightrope in the tenth. He was charged with two runs on two hits and a walk. He did not strike out a batter.
Lowell returns to LeLacheur Park Sunday for a three-game set with the Hudson Valley Renegades. Kevin Steen will get the ball for a 5:05 first pitch on Military Hero Card Set Giveaway. The first 1,000 fans will receive the card set featuring 33 local military heroes who will be honored on the field during a special ceremony in the middle of the second inning.
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New York-Penn League Stories from August 29, 2015
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