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Early Blasts Guide 'Burgers to Lopsided Victory

McCarty tosses five scoreless, earns first win
July 11, 2025

ROME, Ga. — Hub City struck early and often in a 10-2 win over Rome Friday night. The Spartanburgers (12-7, 43-41) swatted two homers in the first two innings on the way to their third straight victory over the Emperors (7-11, 36-46) to clinch at least a share of the

ROME, Ga. — Hub City struck early and often in a 10-2 win over Rome Friday night. The Spartanburgers (12-7, 43-41) swatted two homers in the first two innings on the way to their third straight victory over the Emperors (7-11, 36-46) to clinch at least a share of the series.

Yeison Morrobel and Gleider Figuereo brought the early impacts for the ‘Burgers’ bats, who tied a season-high with 14 hits. Dylan Dreiling, Julian Brock and Anthony Gutierrez all tallied three knocks apiece.

Gutierrez smacked the first pitch he saw from Rome starter Garrett Baumann (L, 2-6) for a single. Gutierrez stole second, advanced to third on a groundout, then scored on a dribbler of an infield single from Dreiling. Two batters later, Morrobel crushed a hanging changeup over the right field fence for his fifth homer of the season.

Figuereo doubled the lead in the second, detonating on a slider at the knees for his team-leading 15th blast. He now is tied for the second-most home runs among all active players in the South Atlantic League. Brock and Gutierrez both scored on the Figuereo big fly. The Spartanburgers led 6-1 after the top of the second.

On the mound, Dalton Pence got the start for Hub City. After giving up hits to the first three batters, the southpaw settled in. Pence tossed three innings of one-run ball. Rome scored a run against Mailon Felix in the fourth; then DJ McCarty (W, 1-4) handled business the rest of the way. McCarty retired the first six he faced in the fifth and sixth, including three straight strikeouts. In total, the right-hander struck out six in five innings, both of which tied a season high.

As McCarty cruised through his outing, the Spartanburgers’ offense put up one more crooked number in the eighth. Facing reliever William Silva, Hub City managed four runs on five hits, including a Morrobel triple and Dreiling’s second two-bagger of the night, to reach double-digit runs for the first time this season against Rome.

On Saturday, Hub City hunts its second straight series win after taking five of six from Winston-Salem last week. The Spartanburgers turn to Rangers No. 28 prospect Mason Molina (0-1, 1.32 ERA). Emperors’ right hander Adam Maier (3-7, 5.82 ERA) will throw the first pitch at 7:00 p.m. ET.

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.

Early Offensive Wave Sends Spartanburgers Packing Sunday 

Jersey Shore scores seven through first three innings
August 10, 2025

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 

Hub City keeps one game lead on Greenville in SAL South
August 10, 2025

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 

Jersey Shore wins seventh straight and takes series
August 8, 2025

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 

Jersey Shore extends win streak to six
August 7, 2025

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 

Hub City loses despite another early 2-0 lead
August 6, 2025

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 

Five scoreless innings from Dylan MacLean not enough
August 5, 2025

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  

August 4, 2025

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 

Three-run seventh inning the difference for Hub City
August 3, 2025

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 

Hub City holds on in ninth
August 2, 2025

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 

Burger bats held in check again
August 1, 2025

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 

Pitching staff Ks 16 in loss
July 31, 2025

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 

July 31, 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 

MacLean earns third win, Figuereo blasts 17th home run
July 30, 2025

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 

Molina tosses first six innings in shutout with seven strikeouts
July 29, 2025

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 

‘Burgers still in front for playoff spot
July 27, 2025

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 

Disla and Morrobel smack solo homers for insurance
July 26, 2025

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 

Two first inning runs and three scoreless from Pence not enough
July 25, 2025

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 

Perich crushes first High-A homer in win
July 24, 2025

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 

Four scoreless, hitless innings from Trentadue not enough
July 23, 2025

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 

Disla clubs eighth long ball, Molina tosses five innings in loss
July 22, 2025

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 

Hub City comes up short of series sweep
July 20, 2025

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 

Bullpen tosses eight scoreless to set the table
July 19, 2025

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 

Offense comes alive after being no-hit through six
July 18, 2025

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

Hub City Pitching Bounces Back for Series Win 

Gonzalez deals six scoreless, Dreiling homers
July 13, 2025

ROME, Ga. — After conceding 10 runs on Saturday night, the Hub City Spartanburgers (13-8, 44-42) shut down the Rome Emperors (8-12, 37-48) 3-1 on Sunday. With the win, the Spartanburgers claimed a second straight series victory. Jose Gonzalez (W, 3-6) got Hub City off to a great start. The

Hub City Shut Out Saturday

'Burgers break up no-hit bid from Maier in seventh
July 12, 2025

ROME, Ga. — The Hub City Spartanburgers (12-8, 43-42) were handled by the Rome Emperors (8-11, 37-47) Saturday at AdventHealth Stadium. Rome cruised to a 10-0 win thanks to six hitless innings from starter Adam Maier (W, 4-7) and a big second inning against Mason Molina (L, 0-2). Maier hit