Holmes leads Spikes to shutout win over Tigers
Holmes (4-1) tied for the New York-Penn League lead in wins and took the league lead in ERA after allowing just three hits, two walks and a hit batsman during his time on the mound. The 19-year-old right-hander, who was chosen by the Pirates in the ninth round of the 2012 MLB Draft, also struck out four batters in the effort.
Tyler Gaffney had a three-hit game for State College (21-16), and was the key man on both of the Spikes' runs in the contest. In the first inning, Gaffney walked and got to third base on an error before scoring on a double play ball to put State College up 1-0.
The Spikes added an insurance run in the eighth inning. Jodaneli Carvajal pinch-ran for Samuel Gonzalez after his pinch-hit single and immediately stole second base. Carvajal then got to third base on a wild pitch and scored on Gaffney's single to right-center field to add some cushion to the State College lead.
Emmanuel De Leon (2) faced a sticky situation in the ninth inning, however. De Leon allowed a leadoff walk to Connecticut (16-21) second baseman Tyler Hanover and a base hit to Patrick Smith, putting runners on first and second with no outs. The right-hander struck out Edgar Corcino, though, and when Bennett Pickar singled to left field, Walker Gourley came up throwing and nabbed Hanover with a laser to the plate. De Leon then elicited a popout to earn the save and preserve the Spikes' win.
The shutout victory was the fourth such win for the Spikes this season, tied for the most in the New York-Penn League. State College has also won its last three games in a row and seven of its last eight.
Gaffney reached base in all five of his plate appearances to up his on-base percentage for the year to .530.
Friend threw three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out one.
Tigers starter Charlie Gillies (0-2) took the loss after giving up an unearned run on two hits and three walks. Gillies also notched three strikeouts.
Thursday, the Spikes and Tigers meet for the second game of their three-game series at Dodd Stadium, with a scheduled 7:05 p.m. start. Right-hander Jason Creasy (0-2) goes for State College, while left-hander Hua-Wei Lo (1-1) gets the ball for Connecticut.
The Spikes return home to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Wednesday, August 1, to start a six-game homestand with a 7:05 p.m. matchup against the Hudson Valley Renegades (Tampa Bay Rays). Fans can start a new month with Half-Price Wednesday, presented by BIG Froggy 101. Get into the ballpark with half-price Outfield Bleacher tickets, then enjoy half-price select domestic draft beers from 6-8 p.m. and half-price fountain drinks all evening long.
It will also be the manliest night at the ballpark this season with Guys Night Out, presented by Stocker Chevrolet Subaru. The Spikes will spotlight all of the things guys love: action movies, football, burping, and half-price beer. In addition, the Spikes will honor James A. Beaver, the 20th governor of Pennsylvania and former President of Penn State University, whose name adorns the 109,000-seat stadium across the street from Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Tickets for all each of the six game during the Spikes' August 1-6 homestand from August 1-6, as well as every Spikes regular season home game in 2012, are currently on sale through the Spikes Box Office by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting in person. Fans can also buy and print single-game tickets by clicking here.
Catch all of the action this Thursday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, at 6:50 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live from Dodd Stadium. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.