Esplin, Offense Puts Lowell Back on Track

TROY, NY - After stumbling out of the gate to open a six-game road trip, the Spinners (4-4) offense came ready to roll in the second of a three-game series with Tri-City (4-4).
The Spinners came out of the gate hot after a Garrett Benge walk and a Devlin Granberg double put runners in scoring position in the top of the second. Tyler Esplin got his big night started with a two-run single to put the Spinners on top early.
After having the ValleyCats score eight runs in the third inning the night before, Lowell responded with seven of their own in the third inning. With one out in the inning, Jarren Duran stole second but advanced to third on a throwing error making it easy for Cole Brannen to drive in the run with a single. After stealing his fifth base of the season, Brannen came in to score on an RBI single from Benge. Granberg then was hit by a pitch to put two on for Esplin. With one swing of the bat, Esplin cleared the fence to put the Spinners on top by seven, his second home run of the season.
The runs continued in the fourth when Kole Cottam ripped a bases loaded single to put the Spinners on top 9-0. It was the third time in four games that Cottam posted a multi-RBI performance.
Starting pitcher Yorvin Pantoja was solid for the second outing in a row. In four innings of work he struck out three, allowed three hits, and a pair of earned runs to bring his ERA to 3.12 through two starts.
Leading 9-2 in the sixth, Cottam and Benge reaching safely to start the inning, Devlin Granberg picked up an RBI single to make it 10-2 Lowell. The following at-bat, Benge came in to score his third run of the day on a wild pitch.
Left-hander Rio Gomez was solid in relief, allowing one run over two innings on a pair of hits. Harrison Cooney also tossed a scoreless frame in the eighth, striking out one to go along with a hit and a walk.
The offense wasn't the only thing on fire in this one. With a seven-run lead in the top of ninth, manager Corey Wimberly was ejected after a heated exchange with the home plate umpire.
Victor Garcia surrendered an earned run in the bottom of the eighth before closing it out to secure the 11-4 victory for the Spinners.
Hunter Haworth takes the hill in the series rubber match on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Following that game, Lowell heads to Brooklyn for a three-game set with the Cyclones.