Lowell loses game one to Connecticut 7-3

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Lowell loses game one to Connecticut 7-3

In what will be the first of six straight meetings between the Spinners and the Tigers, it was Connecticut that used a big inning to win their first road game this season. A four-run eighth highlighted by a two-run home run from shortstop Luke Sherley (1st of the season), powered the Tigers to their fourth straight win, 7-3 over Lowell.

After the game, Spinners manager Cory Wimberly called the loss a tough one. He went on to say he was proud of his team for the way they hung in there. The Spinners would bring the tying run to the plate in the eighth inning and to the on-deck circle in the ninth. But they could do nothing with either opportunity.

The Tigers struck first against Lowell’s starter Alexander Montero, who came into Sunday night’s outing with a 1.80 ERA. Connecticut put the first two men in their lineup on base and scored one when Tiger catcher Gresuan Silverio hit a sacrifice fly to center field. Israel De La Cruz, who singled to lead off the game, crossed home plate to put the Tigers up 1-0.

The Spinners tied the game in their half of the second inning. Garrett Benge led the frame off with a double to left-center, then Tyler Esplin moved him to third when his ground ball was misplayed by Tiger second basemen Yomar Valentin. Next hitter up, Tyler Deaden, ripped a single to right, one of three hits on the night for the Spinners left fielder. It scored Benge and tied the game at 1-1.

Connecticut retook the lead at 2-1 in the third. Sam McMillan singled to right, moved to third on a throwing error by Spinners third baseman Jonathan Ortega, and broke the tie on the second sac fly by Silverio. 2-1 Tigers.

Montero’s night would come to an end. after four innings of work. His line of four innings, four hits, two runs, one earned, with three punchouts, was a workmanlike job.

The Tigers added to their advantage vs Lowell relief pitcher Kevin Biondo. In the sixth, Ulrich Bojarski was hit by a pitch and he stole second base (3rd steal of the season). He scored Connecticut’s third run of the night on a base hit by Ryan Karstetter. 3-1 Tigers.

Lowell would cut the lead in half when Cole Brannen singled to right, swiped second base (his sixth on the year), and was driven in by a double to the gap in right-center by Benge. 3-2 Connecticut after six.

Lowell would finally finish Tiger’s starter Carson Lance’s night (6.2 IP, eight hits, 3 earned runs, one walk), and tied the game at 3-3 in the seventh. Back to back singles by Deaden and Ortega had the Spinners in business. The rally was slowed somewhat by a double play ball hit by Trey Gaines. A pitching change was made by the Tigers with two down and a runner at third. Out went Lance and in came Drew Crosby, who gave up an infield single to Korby Batesole to tie the game and give Lance a no-decision.

Lowell went back to their bullpen and summoned Victor Garcia to pitch the eighth. Unfortunately, the move did not have the desired results. Garcia would give up four runs, two on the home run by Sherley, four hits, and one wild pitch. A tie game was now a 7-3 Tiger lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, Lowell looked like they had some magic left in them. They would load the bases with two outs against Crosby. However, he would get Deaden to strike out swinging to end the threat and give the Tigers their fourth win in a row 7-3 over Lowell.

Crosby was your winning pitcher (2-0), and Garcia was the loser (2-2). Lowell’s record falls to 7-9, while Connecticut improved to 6-10. Game two of this series is set for Monday night with first pitch at 6:30 PM.