Hub City (26-24) found themselves entering Sunday afternoon’s series finale in a situation that likely many thought to be impossible given the matchup this week. They needed a win in order to salvage a split against the Winston-Salem Dash (18-32) – the team at the bottom of the SAL South division standings. The Burgers would look to ride the arm of Jose Gonzalez (0-4, 3.00 ERA) to help make that happen.
Gonzalez’s first two innings required him working out of some trouble after a 2 out double off the middle of the fence in the right field corner to center fielder Matt Hogan in the first and a leadoff triple off the wall in left center to third baseman Arxy Hernandez. Neither threat came to pass as Jose got out of the 1st with his 2nd K of the day and got the next three after the triple, adding another strikeout to his total in the process.
The Spartanburgers drew first blood off Winston-Salem righty Lucas Gordon (1-5, 3.17 ERA) with 2 out in the bottom of the 2nd when Yeison Morrobel blasted his 2nd homer of the week as well as his second at the high A level into the home bullpen in right. Hub City would add another in a threat that was otherwise idle in the 3rd. Quincy Scott started with a single that was followed with a bunt single to the third base side from Theo Hardy. Casey Cook kept the line moving, also with a knock to load the bases for Arturo Disla, who grounded out to short to plate Scott. Hub City would end up leaving 2 in scoring position as Figuereo struck out swinging and Anthony Gutierrez grounded out to 2nd, carrying a 2-0 lead to the 4th.
After both pitchers worked a clean frame in the fourth, Gonzalez got out of a jam once again in the 5th following consecutive 1 out singles from designated hitter Luis Pineda and catcher Weston Eberly. He rebounded by getting a comebacker from shortstop Wilber Sanchez and left fielder Terrell Tatum to strike out swinging to leave them on.
Gordon worked one more frame, getting Hub City in order in the 5th. He gave way to fellow righty Morris Austin, who was greeted rudely by Arturo Disla with a solo shot to the berm in left on the 2nd pitch, giving the Spartanburgers a 3-0 lead through 6 complete. Gonzalez gave way to Adonis Villavicencio to start the 7th, departing with a quality start and a shutout in hand, having struck out 9, walked nobody, and surrendered 4 hits. Villavicencio kept it going despite issuing the first two walks of the game for either team in the top of the 8th, ending with a final line of 2 innings, 1 strikeout, 1 hit, and the shutout preserved.
After Hub City left just their third runner on base in the game in the bottom of the 8th, Eric Loomis came on to try and earn the save. It did not come without drama. With 1 out, 1st baseman Alec Makarewicz doubled to right. Hernandez followed with a walk and right fielder Samuel Zavala singled to load the bases. Pineda grounded to 2nd to break up the shutout, but Eberly then grounded to 3rd to end it, locking down the save and the 3-1 victory to salvage the finale and series split for Hub City.
The Spartanburgers will have Monday off and then hit the road for a 6-game set with the North Division-leading Greensboro Grasshoppers (34-16). No starters have been announced for the opener on Tuesday night, but the opener is set to start at 6:30 PM.
