Anthony Gutierrez Smacks Walk-Off Single to Secure 4-3 Victory
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Wednesday night’s game between Hub City and Greenville was played on pins and needles. Tied at 3-3, both teams had scoring chance after scoring chance. Neither could capitalize until the bottom of the ninth, when Spartanburgers center fielder Anthony Gutierrez lined a two-out single into right field
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Wednesday night’s game between Hub City and Greenville was played on pins and needles. Tied at 3-3, both teams had scoring chance after scoring chance. Neither could capitalize until the bottom of the ninth, when Spartanburgers center fielder Anthony Gutierrez lined a two-out single into right field to score Quincy Scott. The Gutierrez hit whipped Fifth Third Park into a frenzy, as a crowd of over 3,000 celebrated the Spartanburgers’ (10-7) first-ever walk-off win against the rival Drive (7-9).
Rangers’ No. 29 prospect (MLB Pipeline) Kolton Curtis struck out four through two innings, Adonis Villavicencio tossed a scoreless 1 1/3 innings and fanned one. Aidan Curry sat down six through three frames, and Larson Kindreich (W, 2-0) retired four of his six via the K.
Hub City jumped on Greenville starter Noah Dean in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Keith Jones and Casey Cook walked, and Arturo Disla singled. The bases were loaded for Julian Brock, who hit a high chopper to short which Drive shortstop Marvin Alcantara fumbled into left field. Jones and Disla both came around to score on the play. With Gleider Figuereo at bat, Brock took off for second and drew a throw; Cook sped home to advance the ‘Burgers’ lead to 3-0.
After two perfect innings from Curtis in his High-A debut, Greenville’s bats woke up in the third. Two straight singles from Juan Montero and Fraymi De Leon had runners at the corners before Brock threw out De Leon trying to steal second. Curtis walked Yophery Rodriguez, and Nazzan Zanetello bashed a two-run double off the left field wall to clear the bases.
The Drive tacked on one more in the top of the fifth off the new reliever Curry. Andy Lugo led off the inning with a single. He advanced to second with an error and third on a wild pitch. A fielder's choice from Rodriguez tied the game. Curry escaped any more damage, stranding a pair of Drive runners. Curry left four more Drive runners on base in scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh.
Hub City threatened to retake the lead in three straight innings. The Spartanburgers left a runner at second in both the sixth and the seventh. In the eighth, Jones and Disla strung one-out singles together. New reliever Jeremy Wu-Yelland (L, 1-1) threw four straight balls to Cook to load the bases. Brock sent one to medium depth center field for the second out, and Rodriguez fired a strike home to prevent Jones from tagging and scoring to end the inning.
Kindreich compiled scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth with four strikeouts. Against Wu-Yelland in the bottom of the ninth, the Spartanburgers got the first two runners aboard with a Figuereo walk and Scott single. After Scott was thrown out at third on a bunt from Theo Hardy, Dylan Dreiling struck out. Anthony Gutierrez strolled to the plate with two on and two out. He sent a fastball the other way down the right field line; it landed fair and scored Scott from second to win the game for Hub City.
The Spartanburgers try for three straight to begin the series tomorrow. Fresh off its first walk-off win of the season, Hub City sends lefty Josh Trentadue (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound to face off with fellow southpaw Hayden Mullins (1-0, 1.38 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET at Fifth Third Park.
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 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
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Headed into the final three games of the first half, the Spartanburgers lost any chance of winning the division in the first half. Meanwhile, the Bowling Green Hot Rods held a half-game advantage on the Greenville Drive. Bowling Green (34-29) picked up a critical 7-3 win
Late ‘Burgers Rally Falls Short on Sunday
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Offense was again hard to come by on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Park. The Spartanburgers (30-33) fell to the Wilmington Blue Rocks (30-33), 3-2. Wilmington completed a series sweep, claiming five of the six games by just a single run. Jose Gonzalez (L, 1-6) handled most
Wilmington Wins Another One-Run Contest Saturday
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Most of the contests between Wilmington and Hub City this week have been decided by slim margins. Saturday was no different as the Blue Rocks (29-33) beat the Spartanburgers (30-32) by one run, 3-2, for the fourth time this week. Hub City went two-for-nine with runners in
Wilmington scores seven in first two innings
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Wilmington stunned Hub City ace David Davalillo early and rode seven runs through the first two innings to an 8-0 victory Friday night. The Blue Rocks (28-33) have won four straight games to start the series; the Spartanburgers (30-31) are now two and-a-half games out of first
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
Spartanburgers Fall to Blue Rocks in Extras for Second Straight Night
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Spartanburgers and Blue Rocks needed extra innings for the second straight night. Just like Tuesday, Wilmington (26-33) pulled out a one-run victory, 6-5, over Hub City (30-28). Cal Stark and Gleider Figuereo both mashed solo home runs. Figuereo became the first Spartanburger with double-digit home runs
Extra-Innings Pitchers Duel Goes Wilmington’s Way
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The first game of the series between Hub City and Wilmington featured plenty of zeros. In a contest devoid of offense until extras, the Blue Rocks (25-33) beat the Spartanburgers (30-28) by a 2-1 final score in 11 innings. Both teams were scoreless until the final frame.
Dreiling and Stark Reunited by Rangers after Shortest Goodbye
For two years, Cal Stark and Dylan Dreiling formed a “one of a kind” friendship as teammates at Tennessee. After winning a national championship with the Vols, it was time to say goodbye. But goodbye only lasted 24 hours. In 2023, Dreiling and Stark both landed on Rocky Top for
City of Spartanburg Partners with Hub City Spartanburgers to Host Red, White & Boom at Fifth Third Park
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The City of Spartanburg, in partnership with the Hub City Spartanburgers, is pleased to announce the 2025 Red, White & Boom Independence Day festival, to be held on Friday, July 4 at Fifth Third Park in Downtown Spartanburg. “We’re excited for this opportunity to partner with the
Spartanburgers’ Keith Jones II Named South Atlantic League Player of the Week
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Minor League Baseball and the South Atlantic League have named Hub City Spartanburgers outfielder Keith Jones II as the South Atlantic League Player of the Week for the week of June 2–8. Jones is the first Hub City position player to win a SAL honor. “Keith’s consistency
‘Burgers Drop Series Finale in Greensboro
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Early offense came in droves on a sunny Sunday at First National Bank Field as the Greensboro Grasshoppers (37-18) out-blasted the Hub City Spartanburgers (30-27) by a 9-4 final to even the series at three games apiece. Five home runs, two of which were hit by Spartanburgers,
Spartanburgers Prevail Past Rain to win Saturday Night
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Nearly five hours after first pitch, Hub City (30-26) prevailed over Greensboro (36-19) with a 7-4 final. The game was dragged out by a two hour rain delay that put a pause on the action in the eighth inning. Luis Marquez continued his hot start to his
Grasshoppers Win on Rain-Shortened Friday
GREENSBORO, N.C. — After six and a half innings at First National Bank Field, the skies opened, and shortly after, a 2-1 ballgame ended. Greensboro (36-18) beat Hub City (29-26) Friday night to even the series at two games apiece. Hub City got five more quality innings from starter David
‘Burgers Load up for Four Home Runs in 7-4 Win
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Hub City flipped the script Thursday against the team with the most home runs in the South Atlantic League, taking down Greensboro 7-4. Four separate Spartanburgers home runs powered the offense, while Josh Trentadue and Kolton Curtis (W, 2-1) combined for all nine innings on the mound
Spartanburgers’ David Davalillo Named South Atlantic League May Pitcher of the Month
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Minor League Baseball and the South Atlantic League have tabbed Spartanburgers pitcher David Davalillo as the league’s May Pitcher of the Month. In five May appearances, the right-hander led all qualified High-A hurlers with a 0.96 ERA and struck out 35 batters. “David has earned every bit
Hub City Arms Salt Away Shutout Wednesday Win
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The first swing of a noon start in Greensboro Wednesday put Hub City ahead. After Casey Cook’s big fly, the Spartanburgers (28-25) held the Grasshoppers (35-17) scoreless and evened the series with a 4-0 triumph at First National Bank Field. Cook ripped a 95 mile-per-hour fastball from
Four-Run Sixth Costs Hub City in Series-Opening Defeat at Greensboro
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Yeison Morrobel gave the Spartanburgers a one-run lead in the sixth inning of Tuesday’s series opener between Hub City (27-25) and the Greensboro Grasshoppers (35-16). After five strong innings from Spartanburgers starter Leandro Lopez (L, 2-4), Greensboro responded with a home run as part of a four-run
Gonzalez’s Gem Ends Series on High Note
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Spartanburgers’ starting pitching had been stellar through the first five games of the series against Winston-Salem. Sunday was no different, as right-hander Jose Gonzalez (W, 1-4) tossed the best start of his High-A tenure to lead Hub City to a 3-1 win. Gonzalez was dominant: his