‘Burgers Can’t Overcome Early Emperor Offense

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — For the third straight night, the Spartanburgers (10-23, 44-55) found themselves in an early hole against the Emperors (15-17, 48-48). After trailing by seven, Hub City rallied to get the winning run to the plate in the ninth. In the end, Rome held on for an 11-8 win.

Offensively, the ‘Burgers outhit the Emperors by two, 14-12. Seven of the nine Spartanburgers in the lineup recorded multiple hits, including three-hit games from Antonis Macias and Quincy Scott.

The Emperors were once again the aggressors, plating four runs before Hub City ever grabbed the bats. The first six Rome hitters reached base before Kamdyn Perry recorded an out. Perry (L, 0-3) walked Dixon Williams with the bases loaded to score the game’s first run, plunked Mason Guerra to double the Rome lead, then gave up a two-run single to Dallas Macias. After recording a pair of outs, Perry was pulled for Josh Sanders.

Emperors starter Luke Sinnard held the Spartanburgers scoreless in the bottom of the first, then his offense struck for three more runs in the second. Eric Hartman walked and stole second, then scored on Alex Lodise’s RBI single. Two batters later, Williams hit a two-run homer. Sanders would settle in afterwards and retire the side; the right-hander also tossed scoreless third and fourth innings.

Hub City loaded the bases with singles from Macias, Scott and Marcos Torres in the bottom half of the second. Esteban Mejia grounded into a double play to bring in the ‘Burgers’ first run before Sinnard retired the side. Rome went to the bullpen with two outs in the third, and Jacob Kroeger finished the inning.

Facing piggyback starter Zach Royse (W, 4-3), the Spartanburgers put two aboard with a single and a walk in the fourth. Maxton Martin singled in Arturo De Freitas; Gleider Figuereo knocked in Casey Cook before a rundown ended the frame.

Trailing 7-3, the ‘Burgers turned to Luke Savage out of the bullpen. Savage allowed two unearned runs in the fifth. Anthony Susac pitched a scoreless sixth for Hub City. He gave up back-to-back doubles to start the seventh, leading to another Rome run.

Hub City answered with a pair of runs against Royce in the bottom half on a two-run single from Macias. The ‘Burgers then loaded the bases but could not cut further into the 10-5 deficit.

J’Briell Easley worked a one-two-three top of the eighth. Against Logan Samuels in the bottom half, Hub City got a runner to third with two outs. Luke Hanson singled to make it a 10-6 game. Mason Guerra came right back with a leadoff solo shot in the ninth to make it a five-run game again.

Against Tyler Schoff in the bottom of the ninth, Scott led off with a home run. Two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases with two outs. Representing the tyin run, Hanson walked to make it an 11-8 game. Jarret Whorff (S, 2) came out of the bullpen to get a groundout from Macias that ended the game.

The Spartanburgers and Emperors face off in game four on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. ET. A pair of premiere prospects toe the rubber. Braves top prospect Cam Caminiti (2-4, 4.11 ERA) battles Rangers second ranked prospect Caden Scarborough (0-3, 3.60 ERA).

About the Hub City Spartanburgers

The Hub City Spartanburgers are the High-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and the reigning South Atlantic League South Division Champions. For more information on the Spartanburgers, visit milb.com/hub-city. For information about tickets to any of Hub City’s 66 home games, call 864-594-0701 or email: [email protected]. For media inquiries, email: [email protected]. Follow along with the Spartanburgers on social media.