Spinners Steamrolled by ValleyCats, 9-2
Tri-City (22-8) got things rolling with their first batter of the game. Andrew Aplin, the New York-Penn League's leading hitter, led off the bottom of the first with a solo home run to give the ValleyCats an early lead. A throwing error by Matt Gedman allowed the ValleyCats to add two unearned runs, giving Tri-City a 3-0 lead.
Lowell (9-21) had a chance to score in the top half of the second. Jake Davies led off the inning with a walk, advancing to second on a groundout by Matt Marquis. Mookie Betts followed with a single up the middle, but Aplin was on mark, nailing Davies at home to preserve the Cats 3-0 lead.
Things got ugly in the second for Spinners' starter Mike Augliera and defense again played a role in the ValleyCats big inning. Preston Tucker led off the inning with an infield single, but it appeared Augliera had induced a double play ball only to have Betts bobble the ball leaving both runners safe. Aplin followed with a double to right, scoring Tucker, but Marquis cut down Joe Sclafani at home for the innings first out. Trouble persisted however as Catfish Elkins was hit by a pitch and Dan Gulbransen singled to load the bases. A bases loaded walk plated a run and Ryan Dineen doubled to score two more. A sacrifice fly would extend the ValleyCat lead to 8-0, chasing Augliera from the game. A sacrifice fly greeted Francisco Taveras before he could escape the inning, putting the ValleyCats ahead, 9-0.
The Spinners were able to get on the board in the sixth inning, following a one-out double by Gedman. David Chester delivered his team leading sixth home run of the season down the left field line, cutting the lead to 9-2.
The Spinners would get no closer however, going hitless for the final three frames as Tri-City avoided a sweep in the brief two-game series.
The Lowell offense managed just five hits, highlighted by the Chester home run. Gedman and Mike Miller doubled, while Betts and Marquis, who joined the Spinners from Low-A Greenville prior to the game, each added hits.
Augliera (0-2, 12.71) had a night to forget, allowing nine runs, eight earned, on seven hits in a walk over 1.2 innings. Taveras kept the Spinners in the game with 6.1 innings of shutout relief, allowing five hits without walking a batter, striking out four.
The Spinners return to LeLacheur Park Thursday evening for a brief two-game homestand with the Connecticut Tigers. It is Baseball Hat Giveaway, sponsored by Fred C. Church, as the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a Spinners cap. Pat Light (0-1, 6.75) gets the ball for a 7:05 first pitch.