Spinners avoid sweep in 5-2 road victory

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Lowell rides stellar performances by Lucas to victory over Batavia

BATAVIA, N.Y. – Going into Friday’s game, they had one mission: to win the game. Winning the game would accomplish one of two things:

They would their first sweep of 2019.
They would continue to hold onto the best record in the New York-Penn League.

Thanks to a stellar performance by Bryan Lucas on the mound, the Lowell Spinners (18-8), proud affiliate of the 2018 World Champion Boston Red Sox, were able to meet all of their objectives – defeating the Batavia MuckDogs (17-10) by a final of 5-2 at Dwyer Stadium on Friday night.

Lucas pitched well for the Spinners, going six strong innings allowing two runs (both earned) on seven hits. He also picked up five strikeouts en route to his second win of the season.

Lowell got on the board first when Jaxx Groshans went the other way and singled to right field, scoring Kervin Suarez from third, giving the Spinners an early 1-0 lead.

Much like games one and two in the series, the lead would not last long as the MuckDogs got the run right back in the bottom half of the first inning when Troy Johnston doubled to left field, scoring Milton Smith II and tying the game at one run apiece.

The Spinners got it right back when Antoni Flores scored on a fielder’s choice that saw Suarez for the second time on the night, giving them a 2-1 lead. In the top of the fourth, Flores scored a run of his own when Xavier Legrant doubled him home – giving the Spinners a 3-1 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, Batavia got within one on a solo shot by Johnston, but that’s the closest it would get, as Lowell scored twice in the bottom of the ninth – once on an RBI single by Groshans and another on a sacrifice bunt by Wil Dalton.

In the bottom of the ninth, Kris Jackson came out of the bullpen and, despite allowing two MuckDogs baserunners to get to second and third base, was able to shut the door – picking up his third save in the process.

Lowell returns home on Saturday where they take on the Auburn Doubledays, affiliate of the Washington Nationals on Star Wars Night. The Spinners will wear Star Wars Themed jerseys and fans attending are invited to dress in Star Wars attire.

There will also be an appearance by Tony Massarotti of 98.5 the Sports Hub and the game will be broadcast live on there – in addition to, not in place of, WCAP – by Ryan Johnston, and three-time Super Bowl Champion, and former New England Patriot linebacker, Ted Johnson.

The Lowell Spinners, proud affiliate of the 2018 World Champion Boston Red Sox, offer Season Ticket Packages, Mini-Plans, Group Sales, and Single Game Tickets.

For more information, please visit: http://www.milb.com/lowell or call (978) 805-5124 for more information.