Spinners break out bats to defeat Connecticut 8-3

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The Lowell Spinners broke out of their collective hitting slump on Saturday night banging out eleven hits, five of them for extra bases. They got great starting pitching from starter Hunter Haworth and the result was an 8-3 win at home over the Connecticut Tigers.

As you might expect, Spinners Manager Cory Wimberly was happy to see the bats come alive once again. Two guys, in particular, were the offensive catalyst on Saturday night. DH Xavier LeGrant (3-for-5 with a double, triple and 2 rbi), and catcher Elih Marrero, (4-for-5 with 2 doubles, a triple and 2 rbi).

Pitching was also strong as Haworth went the first five giving up six hits, and only one run. That hit was a home run to Tigers DH Nick Ames, a towering blast over the wall in right field. The HR came in the fourth, and was his fourth of the season.

On his starter, Wimberly said, “he worked the bottom of the zone and kept throwing strikes”. Haworth’s (5-3) performance was impressive since this was his first start since July 5th.

Lowell wasted no time putting this game away scoring a single run in the first inning. Third baseman Nick Northcut doubled to left field driving home Grant Williams who lead off the game with a single off Tigers starter Jose Vasquez. Vasquez struggled in his two and two-thirds innings allowing seven hits and five earned runs.

The Spinners (35-38 ) put the game away in the second inning putting up a three spot against Vasquez. The first three Lowell hitters reached on two hits and a walk. One of the Spinners newcomers, Juan Carlos Abreu, smacked a two run single to center field. That was followed by a sacrifice fly off the bat of Williams. 4-0 Spinners after two innings.

With the way Haworth was dealing, the four runs would be enough. The Spinners did tack on three more in the sixth against the second Tiger pitcher of the night, Wes Noble. He also had difficulties in his time on the mound, (three and a third, two hits, three runs, four walks, and three strikeouts).

Lowell also got great bullpen work from Kevin Blondic who came on for Haworth and tossed three innings of two hit, shutout ball.

Connecticut did mount a late rally in the ninth facing Fransico Lopes-Soto. The Tigers loaded the bases thanks to Lopes-Soto walking the first three men he saw. A sac- fly by leadoff hitter Jeremiah Burks brought home one. Then, a single by Jordan Vernon plated the Tigers third run of the night. Lopes-Soto did settle down and retired Danny Reyes on a fielder choice to end the ballgame.

Vasquez takes the loss and is now 5-4 for Connecticut (29-42). Game two of this season finale series is Sunday at 5:30.