Spartanburgers Shut Down by Rome Friday

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Friday’s matchup between Rome and Hub City was billed as a pitcher’s duel. Top 100 prospects Caden Scarborough and Cam Caminiti took the mound at Fifth Third Park and delivered. Caminiti and the Emperors (16-17, 49-48) topped Hub City (10-24, 44-56) 5-2, Rome’s fourth straight victory this week.

Scarborough took the mound under sunny skies with a crowd of over 4,200 in the stands. The right-hander struck out two in a scoreless top of the first. Caminiti answered by striking out the side. The pair kept the offenses quiet through the fourth; Scarborough accumulated five strikeouts, and Caminiti struck out nine of the first 11 he faced.

Rome broke the scoreless tie in the fifth inning. Scarborough (L, 0-4) allowed a single to Dixon Williams and walked Mason Guerra. Hub City’s starter was then lifted from the game. Luimy Muñoz entered from the bullpen, and after a popout, walked two more Emperors to score the game’s first run. With one out and the bases full, Rome’s leadoff man, John Gil, poked a rolling ground ball down the third base line. Gleider Figuereo attempted to glove the ball in foul territory, but the umpires ruled the ball fair; another run scored. A fielders’ choice out at second scored a third run, and an error on a pickoff to first scored a fourth.

Caminiti continued to cruise with the 4-0 lead at his back. The 19-year-old retired the ‘Burgers in order in the fifth and struck out the side in the sixth. After a Maxton Martin double and a Luke Hanson single in the seventh, Caminiti struck out his 14th and final batter. Immediately afterwards, Quincy Scott lofted a sacrifice fly to plate Martin and put the Spartanburgers on the scoreboard. Caminiti’s night ended after a walk; Rome reliever Mathieu Curtis entered and stranded two runners on base.

The Emperors responded in the top of the eighth. Eric Hartman walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. He then broke for third after a pitch from Jesus Gamez and came around to score on a throwing error on the same action. Hub City cut the deficit to three in the bottom half, as Martin singled in Paxton Kling, who returned to action after a month-and-a-half hiatus and extended his on-base streak to 30 games. Curtis (S, 1), finished the ninth without issue.

Saturday, the Spartanburgers and Emperors start at 4:35 p.m. ET. Hub City calls on Izack Tiger (0-4, 13.50 ERA) to get the ‘Burgers back on track. Rome turns to Cade Kuehler (9-4, 5.42 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.

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