Navarro Walk-Off Grand Slam

Norwich, CT - The Connecticut Tigers (38-33) defeated the Lowell Spinners (35-35) by the final score of 5-4. Trailing 4-1 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, 3B Joey Pankake (2-4) hit a leadoff single. 2B Brett Pirtle (3-4) followed with a single and advanced Pankake to second base. RF Ben Verlander (0-3) walked to load the bases. With no outs, C Franklin Navarro (1-4) hit a first pitch walk-off grand slam off of Spinners RHP Carlos Pinales (BS, 2)(L, 1-2) to defeat the Spinners.

The Tigers entered tonight when trailing after eight innings with a record of 0-24. As a team they were just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position before Navarro's walk-off grand slam. Navarro picked the best time to record his first hit of the game. LF Kasey Coffman (2-3) chipped in with two hits and a run scored. Coffman recorded two of the team's first six hits.

Starter RHP Chase Edwards pitched seven strong innings in a no decision. Edwards gave up three runs (two earned) on eight hits over his seven innings of work while striking out two batters. RHP Gage Smith (2-1) picked up the win for the Tigers after relieving Edwards in the start of the eighth inning. Smith pitched two innings while giving up one run on three hits. The Spinners added an insurance run in the ninth inning from 2B Raymel Flores (3-5) RBI single which gave Lowell at the time a 4-1 lead.

Tigers travel to Hudson Valley, NY to take on the Hudson Valley Renegades. In game one of the series, Tigers RHP AJ Ladwig (0-4, 4.95) is slated to face Renegades RHP Enderson Franco (6-3, 3.11). The pre-game show begins at 6:50 on AM 1310 WICH & cttigers.com.

The Connecticut Tigers are the Class-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and play in the New York-Penn League. The Tigers are in their 5th season at Dodd Stadium. Tickets are now on sale! The Box Office is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition, tickets can be purchased over the phone at (860) 887-7962. For more information go online to cttigers.com.