‘Burgers Pitching Dominates Series Finale in Rome

‘Burgers Pitching Dominates Series Finale in Rome

Segura ties career high in strikeouts

ROME, Ga. — After dropping four of the first five games in Rome, Hub City won the weekend with strong pitching performances Saturday and Sunday. Enrique Segura set the tone with five scoreless innings in the series finale, and three runs in the eighth proved to be enough offense for a 3-1 Spartanburgers (21-33, 55-65) win over the Emperors (24-28, 57-60).

Segura struck out five of the first six he faced. Rome starter Daniel Brooks matched Segura with scoreless innings until the fifth, when he was replaced by Jacob Kroeger. Both starters sped through the first four innings in under an hour. Segura allowed one hit and one walk through five frames, and struck out Colby Jones to complete the fifth and tie a career-high eight strikeouts.

Hub City couldn’t muster much against Kroeger or Blayne Enlow, who handled the sixth and seventh. Rome forced Segura out of the game in the sixth after back-to-back singles. Luke Savage entered for the Spartanburgers and calmly stranded both runners in scoring position.

Case Matter (W, 2-0) took over for Savage in the seventh and struck out a pair. Facing Logan Samuels in the eighth, the ‘Burger bats finally came alive. Esteban Mejia led off the frame with a single to left-center field, then stole second, and Carter Garate beat out a ground ball to shortstop. With runners on the corners and no outs, Cal Stark whacked a full count fastball to the left field corner. Both runners scored on Stark’s double. Samuels (L, 2-5) hit Chandler Pollard, and Stark reached third on Evan Morrison’s fielder’s choice, which led to an out at second. The Spartanburgers executed a two-out double steal to add their third run.

Rome fought back with a run on a pair of walks in the eighth against Jesus Gamez. Kai Wynyard (S, 3) shut down the Emperors in the ninth, striking out the final two batters of the game.

After winning a trio of games in Rome, Hub City heads to Greensboro for its final road series of the year, a six-game set against the Pirates’ High-A affiliate. First pitch Tuesday is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.

About the Hub City Spartanburgers

The Hub City Spartanburgers are the High-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and the reigning South Atlantic League South Division Champions. 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 864-594-0701 or email: [email protected]. For media inquiries, email: [email protected]. Follow along with the Spartanburgers on social media.

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