Slow Start Leads to 6-5 Stumble against Hot Rods
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Spartanburgers (7-5) were forced into comeback mode again on Thursday night, but a pair of late rallies came up one run short in a 6-5 loss to the Bowling Green Hot Rods (6-6). The Hub City bullpen again carried a heavy load with over eight innings
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Spartanburgers (7-5) were forced into comeback mode again on Thursday night, but a pair of late rallies came up one run short in a 6-5 loss to the Bowling Green Hot Rods (6-6). The Hub City bullpen again carried a heavy load with over eight innings of two-run baseball, providing the offense a late chance.
Keith Jones sparked the late rallies from the Spartanburgers with his first professional home run. Jones tagged a homer over the right-field wall to score Dylan Dreiling. Jones would also score in a two-run eighth inning for the Spartanburgers, aided by four Hub City walks.
For the third straight game, Bowling Green jumped on the Spartanburgers’ starter. The Hot Rods scored four runs on four hits and two walks against right-hander Paul Bonzagni (L, 0-1), who recorded two outs in the top of the first before he was replaced by Wilian Bormie.
Right-hander Garrett Edwards (W, 2-0) held the ‘Burgers’ bats quiet until the fourth, when Arturo Disla ripped a leadoff double into the left field corner. Two batters later, Gleider Figuereo bounced a chopper to the shortstop, bringing Disla home.
Bormie kept the Hub City bullpen’s scoreless streak alive with 3 1/3 innings to bridge the gap until the fourth, and Mailon Felix put up a zero in the fifth. The Hot Rods got to Felix in the sixth, capitalizing on three walks and two hits to plate two runs before the right-hander escaped the jam with a double play and a popout.
Anthony Susac and Josh Mollerus combined to post shutout frames from the seventh through ninth innings. Meanwhile, the Spartanburgers flipped the momentum at the plate. The Jones homer cut Bowling Green’s advantage to 6-3. Then in the eighth, Hot Rods reliever Adam Boucher walked four straight batters, slimming the lead to 6-4. Bowling Green called on righty Jack Snyder (S, 1) in place of Boucher; after Theo Hardy plated another run with a groundout to first, Snyder escaped the two-on, two-out trouble.
The series tilts two games to one in favor of Hub City. Friday, a pair of top prospects take the hill. Both Spartanburgers right-hander David Davalillo (0-0, 1.42 ERA) and Hot Rods righty Gary Gill Hill (0-0, 2.00 ERA) chart in their respective big league clubs’ top prospect lists. First pitch of Trades Night, presented by Robins & Morton, at Fifth Third Park is scheduled at 6:35 p.m. ET, with Fifth Third postgame fireworks to follow.
About the Hub City Spartanburgers
The Hub City Spartanburgers, the High-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, embark on their inaugural season in April 2025. 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 Saturday
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
Early Blasts Guide 'Burgers to Lopsided Victory
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
Pitching Proves the Difference in Second Straight Spartanburgers Win
Pitching Proves the Difference in Second Straight Spartanburgers Win Curtis returns from injury, MacLean lasts five innings out of ‘pen ROME, Ga. — For the second straight day, Hub City (11-7, 42-41) limited Rome (7-10, 36-46) to just one run offensively. On the backs on the strong pitching performance, the
‘Burgers Win One-Run Showdown
ROME, Ga. — After an hour rain delay, the Spartanburgers and Emperors were locked in another low-scoring affair. Hub City (10-7, 41-41) held on for a 2-1 win over Rome (7-9, 36-45). The Spartanburgers got their runs in vastly different ways; John Taylor blasted a solo homer, and Anthony Gutierrez
Emperors Slow Down Red-Hot Spartanburgers
ROME, Ga. — After five straight wins to finish last week, the Spartanburgers (9-7, 40-41) offense never got going against the Rome Emperors (7-8, 36-44). Rome tossed its 10th shutout of the season in a 4-0 win. Leandro Lopez provided the Spartanburgers with five scoreless frames to start the game.
Gonzalez’s Strong Seven Innings Lead to Victory
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Spartanburgers (9-6, 40-40) finished off Fourth of July week with a flourish, winning five straight games over the Winston-Salem Dash (4-11, 29-51). Jose Gonzalez (W, 2-6) capped off the series finale with a seven inning, one run performance. The Spartanburgers’ offense pushed enough runs across against
Hub City Claims Series Win with 6-1 Saturday Victory
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — After an offensive explosion to finish Friday’s win, the Spartanburgers (8-6, 39-40) started out hot on Saturday against the Dash (4-10, 29-50). Two runs in the first proved to be enough for Hub City in a 6-1 win to claim the series. Gleider Figuereo pounded another home
Big Eighth Inning Fuels Hub City on July Fourth
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Through five innings on the Fourth of July, Jake Bockenstedt had a perfect game going against the Spartanburgers. The fireworks came late as Hub City (7-6, 38-40) woke up offensively to beat Winston-Salem (4-9, 29-49), 10-5. Hub City put together a season-best eight-run eighth inning; half of
Spartanburgers Head Home with Series Lead
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Spartanburgers carried a two-run lead into the bottom of the ninth on Thursday evening against the Dash. Hub City (6-6, 37-40) had to escape the ninth inning just to force extras against Winston-Salem (4-8, 29-48). After six combined runs in the tenth, Hub City pulled out
Former Spartanburgers Outfielder Keith Jones II Named SAL Player of the Month
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — MiLB and the South Atlantic League have named former Spartanburgers outfielder Keith Jones II June SAL Player of the Month. Jones, who was promoted to Double-A Frisco on July 1, posted a 1.054 OPS and clocked five home runs in 24 games. “Keith is extremely deserving of
Hub City and Winston-Salem Split First Two
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Spartanburgers and Dash only made it to the top of the third inning in the series opener on Tuesday before rain caused a suspension. The Spartanburgers carried a 4-3 lead into the resumption of the first game of the series on Wednesday, but Hub City failed
Series Opener at Winston-Salem Postponed
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Spartanburgers and Dash were primed for an exciting start to the July Fourth week, but Mother Nature put a damper on the fun. After plenty of offense through the first two innings and change, Hub City (4-5, 35-39) and Winston-Salem (3-6, 28-46) were forced to pause
Scott and Taylor Spearhead Spartanburgers’ Sunday Walk-Off
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — With two outs remaining in the ninth, the Spartanburgers were at risk of dropping their first six-game set of the second half of the season. Trailing by two, the offense flipped the script. Hub City (4-5, 35-39) took down Aberdeen (4-5, 28-46) by a 5-4 final thanks
‘Burgers Drop Saturday’s Low-Scoring Affair
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Hub City struck first, but Aberdeen battled back with a small-ball approach to grab a Saturday win. The IronBirds (4-4, 28-45), fueled by six stolen bases, six singles and seven walks, beat the Spartanburgers (3-5, 34-39) at Fifth Third Park, 3-1. After a clean first frame from
‘Burgers Fall Inches Short on Friday Night
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Aberdeen IronBirds (3-4, 27-45) snuck out of Fifth Third Park with a 6-5 win Friday night over the Hub City Spartanburgers (3-4, 33-38). The IronBirds executed a perfect relay from right field to cut down the potential tying run at the plate and end the game
Figuereo’s Walk-Off Blast Splits Thursday Twin Bill
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — With 14 innings total already in the books, the Spartanburgers and IronBirds needed extras in game two of Thursday’s doubleheader, over four hours after first pitch of game one. Luckily for Hub City (3-3, 34-37), Gleider Figuereo was not in the mood to play a 16th inning
Rain Forces Wednesday Night Postponement
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — After a scorching afternoon, grey clouds rolled over Fifth Third Park about 30 minutes before scheduled first pitch between the Spartanburgers (2-2, 33-36) and the Aberdeen IronBirds (1-3, 25-44). The tarp was rolled onto the field prior to the 6:35 p.m. scheduled start time, and the game
Hub City Holds on for Series-Opening Win against Aberdeen
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — After a late return Sunday from Bowling Green, the Spartanburgers had an early 11:05 a.m. ET first pitch Tuesday against a North Division foe. Hub City (2-2, 33-36) beat the Aberdeen IronBirds (1-3, 25-44) 4-3 to kick off a six-game home series. Rangers No. 2 prospect Malcolm
The Motor of the Hub City: Why Professional Baseball Returned to Spartanburg
This article was originally published in the June 2025 edition of the Texas Rangers magazine.
Bats Wake up for ‘Burgers to Finish Week in Bowling Green
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — After dominant pitching for seven innings, the Spartanburgers (1-2, 32-36) offense came alive in the final two innings to take Sunday’s series finale 8-2 against the Hot Rods (2-1, 36-31). Jose Gonzalez provided Hub City an excellent chance to salvage the final game of the series.
Late Offense Carries Bowling Green to Comfortable Win
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Spartanburgers got off to an early lead on Saturday evening. Keith Jones II blasted a first pitch home run to put Hub City (0-2, 31-36) in front. Bowling Green (2-0, 36-30) responded with seven unanswered runs to take game four 7-1. Hub City lefty starter
Offensive Battle Goes Bowling Green’s Way
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — After conceding five runs in the first inning, Hub City battled back to tie Friday night’s game in the seventh. The Hot Rods (1-0, 35-30) powered their way to seven late runs to take down the Spartanburgers (0-1, 31-35) in game three of the series, 12-5.
Spartanburgers Even Series at Bowling Green
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — After rain ruined the possibilities of game two, the Spartanburgers (31-34) snapped their eight-game losing streak on Thursday with a 3-1 win at Bowling Green (34-30). Hub City used three straight baserunners to get on the board first in the fourth. Dylan Dreiling followed it up
Game Two Between ‘Burgers and Hot Rods Washed Out
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Spartanburgers (30-34) and Hot Rods (34-29) never got started on Wednesday in Kentucky. The game began in a delay, and a lengthy storm cell led to the game’s cancellation about two hours after scheduled first pitch. Since tonight’s game was canceled and Greenville lost to
Walk-off Grand Slam Lifts Bowling Green in Game One
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