July 19th Game Recap
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2008
Contact: Jon Boswell (978-805-5117 / jboswell@lowellspinners.com)
What Goes Around Comes Around for Spinners
Tri-City takes back-and-forth game on walk-off homerun in 9th, 9-8
TROY, NY – One night after a thrilling walk off victory at home, the Lowell Spinners fell victim to a turnabout of fair play as Tri-City pinch hitter Jeff Gaston hit a 2-run bomb to right field in the ninth inning with one out, sending the Spinners to their 11th loss on the road in 16 games this season, 9-8.
Tri-City (13-18) took an early lead in the bottom of the second as third baseman Christopher Jackson reached on an error by Jon Hee, stole second and scored on a single by shortstop Jeff Hulett. Lowell (13-18) answered in the third inning, tying the game on an RBI single by Jeff Natale that scored Zach Gentile.
The game stayed tied until two outs in the fifth inning when Mitch Dening singled and Natale was intentionally walked by ValleyCat starter Robert Bono. Ricardo Burgos made him pay on the first pitch of his at-bat as he blasted a fastball high over the left field fence for a three-run homerun, his second of the season.
Natale smacked an RBI double in the seventh inning, scoring Hee for the Spinners fifth run.
Tri-City’s offense, which had been held to just two hits through six innings, exploded for three runs on three hits in the home half of the seventh on an RBI double, a groundout and an RBI single, to cut the lead to one.
The Spinners seemed to have added an important insurance run in the top of the eighth on Luis Sumoza’s third homerun of the season, a towering opposite-field shot. However, the bullpen betrayed Lowell as Tri-City scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on a bases-loaded, two-out double by second baseman Mike Diaz to take their first lead of the ballgame.
The game continued to seesaw, as the Spinners took the lead, and seemingly the win, back in the top of the ninth on an error by Jackson that allowed Ronald Bermudez to score from third, and a bases-loaded walk to Tim Federowicz.
But, it was not in the cards for Lowell as Seth Garrison (2-1, 1.72) gave up a hit to Jackson in the home half of the ninth, then served up the game-winner to Gaston for only the second and third earned runs he has allowed this season.
With the exception of starter Kyle Weiland, the Lowell pitching staff had a rough night. Weiland went three innings, allowed one unearned run but struck out five while walking just one. Charlie Rosario was outstanding until the seventh inning, as he was touched up for three runs in three-plus innings. Dennis Neuman also struggled, getting knocked around the eighth inning for three runs on four hits.
The Lowell offense did not look sluggish at all, as they continually put runners on base and took advantage of opportunities in the later innings. Sumoza led the team with a four-hit night, the first of his career. Natale had three hits with two doubles, raising his average to .467 in his four appearance for the Spinners during his rehab assignment. Five other Spinners had hits to complete a 12-hit attack.
Lowell turns to staff ace and NY-Penn League ERA leader Brock Huntzinger (3-0, 0.58) for a victory tomorrow night as first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
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