Oat Milkers’ Comeback Falls Short after Sixth Inning Struggles
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — After a tumultuous sixth inning, the Spartanburgers, playing as the Malmo Oat Milkers, launched a slow but sure comeback against the Blue Rocks. Hub City (30-30) left the tying run at third base and the winning run on second in the bottom of the ninth in a
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — After a tumultuous sixth inning, the Spartanburgers, playing as the Malmo Oat Milkers, launched a slow but sure comeback against the Blue Rocks. Hub City (30-30) left the tying run at third base and the winning run on second in the bottom of the ninth in a 6-5 loss to Wilmington (27-33).
The beginning of a game felt like a pitcher's duel. Both starters, Hub City’s Kolton Curtis and Wilmington’s Travis Sykora, were lights out through five innings.
Curtis tossed the first pitch of the game a little late after a 45-minute delay due to rain. He then worked around baserunners in the first three innings of the game. The righty starter stranded three runners in that stretch to keep Wilmington quiet out of the gates.
Sykora matched Curtis, striking out five of the first six batters to the plate. Julian Brock knocked the only two hits against Sykora. The top prospect in the Nationals organization struck out 10 batters across five scoreless innings.
In the sixth, Hub City sent its starter back to the mound with zeros on the scoreboard. After a walk to Sam Petersen to begin the inning, Curtis bounced a breaking ball inside to Marcus Brown. Petersen took off for second and Brock threw him out. After the out was signaled by the field umpire, the home plate umpire then signaled a hit by pitch to erase the out. A batter later, Brandon Bossiere doubled both runners home. Hub City manager Chad Comer was ejected immediately following. Three hits, two walks and a new pitcher later, the Spartanburgers left the field down 5-0.
Hub City managed to cut into the lead, inning by inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Theo Hardy led off with a walk and came around to score thanks to Gleider Figuereo’s RBI single. Trailing by four in the seventh, Quincy Scott singled with two outs. Scott was replaced by Wady Mendez to run the bases, then Casey Cook singled Mendez in.
Hub City development coach Jay Sullenger was ejected prior to the bottom of the eighth; the ‘Burgers then plated another on a Yeison Morrobel RBI double, which scored Anthony Gutierrez. Heading to the ninth, Wilmington led 5-3.
Josh Trentadue had supported the offense with two scoreless innings out of the bullpen, but Petersen got to him in the ninth. The Blue Rocks’ leadoff man smoked the third pitch over the right field wall for his first High-A homer.
Once again down three, Hub City made one final push in the bottom of the ninth. Mendez and Hardy walked, Arturo Disla was hit by a pitch, and with two outs, Keith Jones II split the left-center field gap with a double to score two. The Spartanburgers couldn’t score the potential tying run, leaving pinch runner Esteban Mejia 90 feet away from the dish.
Friday, Hub City and Wilmington meet at 7:05 p.m. ET. RHP David Davalillo (4-0, 1.09 ERA) is on the mound for the ‘Burgers, while rehabbing RHP Andry Lara starts for the Blue Rocks.
About the Hub City Spartanburgers
The Hub City Spartanburgers are in their inaugural season as the High-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. For more information on the Spartanburgers, visit milb.com/hub-city. For information about tickets to any of Hub City’s 66 home games, call 864-658-4206 or email: tickets@hcspartanburgers.com For media inquiries, email: iunsworth@hcspartanburgers.com. Follow along with the Spartanburgers on social media.
Hub City Shut Out to Start Series in Brooklyn
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A change in scenery did not lead to a change in results for the Spartanburgers. After dropping five of six to Jersey Shore, Hub City (22-21, 53-55) fell 3-0 in the series opener Tuesday at Brooklyn (17-26, 63-46). Brooklyn starter Will Watson tossed four scoreless frames to
Casey Cook Named Rangers' July MiLB Defensive Player of the Month
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Hub City infielder Casey Cook was honored Monday, August 11 as the Rangers' Minor League Defensive Player of the Month for July. Cook is the second Spartanburger to win Rangers MiLB monthly honors, after David Davalillo won Pitcher of the Month in April. Per the Rangers, Cook
Early Offensive Wave Sends Spartanburgers Packing Sunday
LAKEWOOD, N.J. — An extra-inning win on Saturday did not lead to a Hub City (22-21, 53-54) surge Sunday; Jersey Shore (24-17, 49-55) bounced back to beat the Spartanburgers 9-1. The BlueClaws scored seven runs in three innings and cruised the rest of the way. Spartanburgers starter Kolton Curtis (L,
Gutierrez Leads Spartanburgers to Win in Extras
LAKEWOOD, N.J. — Heading into Saturday, Hub City’s lead for the second playoff spot in the South Atlantic League South Division had been trimmed to one game over Greenville. With an 8-5 win in ten innings over the BlueClaws (23-17, 48-55), the Spartanburgers (22-19, 53-53) maintained that advantage. Hub City
Spartanburgers Drop Fourth Straight
LAKEWOOD, N.J. — The Spartanburgers have run into a red-hot bunch to start their 12-game road trip. On Friday, Jersey Shore took down Hub City 4-1. After beating the Spartanburgers (21-19, 52-53) for the fourth straight day, the BlueClaws (23-16, 48-54) have moved to seven games above .500 in the
Hub City Loses Third Straight on Walk-off
LAKEWOOD, N.J. — Jersey Shore took a 1-0 lead into the ninth inning on Thursday. Despite giving up a run to extend the game, the BlueClaws (22-16, 47-54) fought right back to walk-off the Spartanburgers (21-18, 52-52) 2-1 in the ninth. Yeison Morrobel provided a two-out RBI single to extend
Bullpen Skid Costs ‘Burgers Again
LAKEWOOD, N.J. — For the second straight day, the Spartanburgers (21-17, 52-51) took an early 2-0 lead over the BlueClaws (21-16, 46-54) but could not hang on. On Wednesday afternoon, Jersey Shore hung six more runs on the Hub City bullpen in a 7-3 comeback win. After scoreless first innings
Hub City Loses Lead Late in Series Opener at Jersey Shore
LAKEWOOD, N.J. — The Spartanburgers began a two-week road trip north with a first ever game against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws on Tuesday night. After a two-run first inning for Hub City, the BlueClaws battled back to beat the Spartanburgers 5-4 thanks to a three-run eighth inning. Dylan MacLean stood
Jose Gonzalez Earns SAL Pitcher of the Week Honors
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — After a career performance, Spartanburgers’ starter Jose Gonzalez won South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week honors for the week of July 29 to August 3. Gonzalez is the second Spartanburgers pitcher to win SAL honors this season. “Jose was super impressive Sunday,” said Thomas St. Clair,
Gonzalez Shines in Series Clinching Win
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — With a 3-2 series lead heading into Sunday’s series finale, the Spartanburgers turned to starter Jose Gonzalez. With seven scoreless innings, Gonzalez (W, 4-7) powered the Spartanburgers (21-15, 51-48) to a 3-2 win over the Tourists (14-21, 43-57). Hub City claimed the series, four games to two.
Cook’s Grand Slam Lifts Spartanburgers to Share of Series
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Spartanburgers appeared bound for another dismal night of offense through the first six innings, held to just one run by a pair of pitchers. The script flipped in the seventh; Casey Cook’s grand slam powered Hub City (20-15, 51-49) to a 6-5 victory over Asheville (14-20,
Asheville Takes One-Run Affair on Friday
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Hub City’s offense was held to two hits for the second straight night on Friday. After the Spartanburgers (19-15, 49-48) took an early lead for the fourth straight game, the Tourists (14-19, 43-55) fought back for a 3-2 win. After five scoreless frames from Hub City starter
Free Passes Doom ‘Burgers in 7-1 Defeat
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — After only managing one run through the first two games this week, the Asheville Tourists (13-19, 42-55) bounced back against the Spartanburgers (19-14, 49-47) in a 7-1 win. Despite just four combined hits, the Tourists capitalized on several free passes to break out of the offensive struggle.
From the “Jungle” to the ‘Burg: Josh Trentadue’s Competitive Nature Has Powered a Breakout 2025
Called out of the bullpen in the top of the ninth, Josh Trentadue had one thing on his mind. The Spartanburgers were tied with the Brooklyn Cyclones, 1-1, and Trentadue had to hold on to give his offense a chance to win it. Blonde curly hair hanging out of the
Spartanburgers Ambush Tourists in Wednesday Win
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Thanks to six runs in the first two innings, Hub City (19-13, 50-47) jumped on Asheville (12-19, 41-55) and rode out an early lead to a 9-1 win. Gleider Figuereo smashed his team-leading 17th homer in the bottom of the first, and the Spartanburgers plated four runs
Dominant Pitching Paces Hub City to Win in Series Opener
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Hub City pitching needed a bounce-back after a couple tough losses last week in Greenville. The Spartanburgers (18-13, 49-47) staff delivered on Tuesday against the Asheville Tourists (12-18, 41-54), tossing their sixth shutout of the season en route to a 4-0 victory. Southpaw starter Mason Molina (W,
Drive Win Series on Second Walk-off of the Week
GREENVILLE, S.C. — For the fifth time in six games this week, the Spartanburgers (17-13, 48-47) took an early lead against the Greenville Drive (14-14, 47-47). Greenville clawed back to a tie game in the seventh before Franklin Arias clocked a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth to
Hub City Outclasses Greenville Saturday
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Pitching dominated for much of Saturday’s showdown at Fluor Field. Starters Kolton Curtis and Blake Aita were both very sharp. Curtis took a perfect game into the fifth inning, and Aita lasted into the seventh. The Spartanburgers (17-12, 48-46) had enough offense to take down the Drive
Hub City Loses After Early Lead on Friday at Greenville
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Despite an early head start, the Spartanburgers (16-12, 47-46) could not hold on against the Drive (13-13, 46-46) on Friday night. Greenville rallied back to take a 4-2 win and claim at least a split of the series. Hub City’s bullpen faltered in the middle innings once
‘Burgers Blank Drive Thursday
GREENVILLE, S.C. — After dropping the first two games because of bullpen shortcomings, the Hub City Spartanburgers (16-11, 47-45) shut out the Greenville Drive (12-13, 45-46) on Thursday at Fluor Field, 3-0. Four Spartanburgers arms combined for nine scoreless innings, and Rafe Perich smashed his first High-A homer in the
Four-Run Seventh Lifts Drive to Second Straight Win
GREENVILLE, S.C. — On Wednesday night at Fluor Field, the Spartanburgers (15-11, 46-45) took the lead with a three-run sixth inning. The Drive (12-12, 45-45) fired back with a four-run seventh inning to run away to a 7-3 win. Josh Trentadue provided Hub City with four scoreless innings. Two walks
Walk-Off Homer Sends Spartanburgers Packing Tuesday
GREENVILLE, S.C. — To open the third chapter of the I-85 rivalry, Hub City led from the top of the first until the last batter of the ballgame. Greenville’s Johanfran Garcia socked a two-run, walk-off home run to clinch a Drive (11-12, 44-45) 4-3 victory over the Spartanburgers (15-10, 46-44).
‘Burgers Flattened by Cyclones Sunday
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Hub City Spartanburgers couldn’t complete a series sweep of the Brooklyn Cyclones Sunday, falling 13-3 on a rainy afternoon at Fifth Third Park. Brooklyn put together back-to-back four-run innings. Hub City starter Jose Gonzalez (L, 3-7) was not at his sharpest; he allowed five runs on
Walk-Off Winners Once More! Taylor’s Big Swings Lift Burgers
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — For the second straight night, the Spartanburgers (15-8, 46-42) trailed entering the final two innings against the Brooklyn Cyclones (11-12, 57-32). John Taylor tied the game in the eighth on Saturday night with a solo home run before walking it off in the 10th with a RBI
Disla Walk-Off Wins Series Opener over Brooklyn
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — An extremely slow start for the Spartanburgers offense turned into an electric finish. Hub City (14-8, 45-42) won in walk-off fashion over Brooklyn (12-10, 57-31) thanks to a bases-loaded double from Arturo Disla. Trailing by two in the ninth, Dylan Dreiling led off the inning with a