After three straight home losses where the grill has not been cooking when it comes to the Spartanburgers’ offense and the bullpen has subsequently gone into a slump, Hub City (17-15, 2nd place in the SAL South Division standings) came into Mothers’ Day needing a win to secure a split in the series with the Greensboro Grasshoppers – the most ideal result given how tough this week would be against the statistically best offense in the league.
The starting nod went to right hander Jose Gonzalez (0-3, 2.37 ERA), and it did not get off in the most ideal way. With 2 out, Greensboro left fielder Esmerlyn Valdez singled and took 2nd on an errant throw in from left field. After a wild pitch put him on third, Designated Hitter Javier Rivas went back to back with an RBI knock, making for an early 1-0 hole before the Spartanburgers offense even came to the plate for the first time.
Hub City threatened Greensboro starter Khristian Curtis (0-3, 8.83 ERA) in the bottom of the frame after Left Fielder Keith Jones II singled with one away and took 2nd on a wild pitch. Right Fielder Yeison Morrobel drew a 2 out walk, but they were both left on as Curtis struck out DH Cal Stark to end the inning and keep the lead intact.
Trouble looked to be brewing again in the top of the 2nd after Gonzalez issued a base on balls to Right Fielder Shalin Polanco with 1 out. But, Second Baseman Jesus Castillo grounded into a 6-3 double play to squash the chance at a rally, setting the stage for Hub City to equalize it in the home half. Casey Cook, who has started to show signs of life after slumping into a golden sombrero in the opener of this series back on Tuesday night started things off with a single. With 2 out, 9 hole hitter Danyer Cueva reached on what would be ruled a base hit to the shortstop even though they tried to force Cook at 2nd. Center Fielder Dylan Dreiling followed it with a double that split the gap between center and left to tie the game at 1 a piece. The Burgers had a shot at taking the lead with 2 in scoring position for Jones II, but he grounded out to 2nd to end the inning, sending it to the 3rd knotted up.
Both teams had relatively quiet third innings, but then Greensboro managed to make some 2 out magic in the 4th with three straight base knocks. The third, which came from the bat of Polanco, scored shortstop Keiner Delgado, giving the Grasshoppers the lead 2-1. After the Spartanburgers threatened but failed to strike by leaving 2 on in the bottom half, the Grasshopper offense continued to impose.
Jose Gonzalez was taken down after getting 1st baseman Geovanny Planchart to ground out to 2nd, giving way to Victor Simeon, who managed to finish the inning, but not without any damage. His first two hitters reached on a single and a walk. Both came around to score on a 2 out single from Rivas to make it 4-1.
The bullpen managed to get its stride back over the last 4 innings as Josh Sanders, Josh Mollerus, and Joey Danielson combined to shut down the Grasshoppers, allowing just 1 base runner the rest of the way with 3 strikeouts. But, the Hub City offense, despite 9 hits in the game just could not string them together to create offense as the Burgers dropped their 4th straight en route to their first series loss of the season as well as their first series dropped at Fifth Third Park.
The Spartanburgers (17-16) will have a huge chance to get their offense back on track this coming week as they get a day off Monday and then begin round 2 of the I-85 Rivalry Series with the Greenville Drive on Tuesday with just the hour trip to Fluor Field to make.
Game one of the series begins at 6:45 and will feature a pitching matchup yet to be determined.
