Doubledays bat around Spinners, 10-1

AUBURN, N.Y. - The Auburn Doubledays (12-5) used a seven-run sixth inning to turn a pitchers duel into a blowout, 10-1, over the Lowell Spinners (5-13) at Falcon Park on Thursday night. With the win Auburn improves its home record to 9-1.

In the seven run sixth inning the Doubledays sent 12 batters to the plate. In the inning Auburn had five hits, drew three walks, and had one hit batsman. Five different players drove in runs, and everyone who batted in the inning reached base at least once. RHP Jadd Schmeltzer came on to start the inning for Lowell, and he recorded just one out while facing nine batters. All seven runs in the inning were charged to Schmeltzer, who was replaced by RHP Braden Kapteyn for what turned out to be the final three hitters of the inning.

The sixth inning was the third consecutive inning that the Doubledays had put runs up on the board. The scoring started in the fourth when DH Carlos Alvarez reached base when he was issued a one out walk. The following hitter, CF Angelberth Montilla , singled on a ground ball to center field, putting runners at first and second with no one out. First baseman Shawn Pleffner was the next to bat, and he laced a line drive to left field to bring home Alvarez for the first Auburn run of the night. Montilla would score one batter later thanks to a deep sac fly to left by RF Wander Ramos, making it 2-0.

Three singles in a row in the fifth followed by a fielder's choice lead to the third Auburn run of the night. That was more than enough for the Doubledays pitching staff to work with. RHP David Fischer was near flawless in his first start of the season for Auburn, lasting four innings without giving up a run or a hit. His only blemish was one walk allowed.

Fischer was replaced by RHP Jason Smith (2-1), who threw three innings giving up one earned run on two hits while striking out three. RHP John Peters tossed the final two innings for the Doubledays also without allowing a run or a hit. RHP Yunior Ortega (1-1) was tagged with the loss for Lowell as he gave up the first three Auburn runs on five hits in five innings.

The Doubledays finish up their three game series with the Spinners on Friday, July 6. Auburn will send LHP Nick Lee (0-0) to the mound for his first start of the year. He will square off against RHP Raynel Velette (1-1) for the Spinners. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm. There is a pre-game happy hour from 5:00pm - 7:00pm with special food and beverage discounts prior to every Friday home game this summer. Tickets available by calling the Doubledays box office at 315-255-2489 or by going online to www.auburndoubledays.com.