Burgers Win Game Three of Series; Tied For First

After a long night that resulted in a close extra-inning loss in game 2 of the series, Hub City looked to bring things back even in the final series of the season against the Greenville Drive. On the hill, the game would mark the High A debut of reigning Carolina League Pitcher of the Week Caden Scarborough, who had just been promoted from Low A Hickory Thursday morning.

Scarborough, who was a 6th rounder in the 2023 draft straight out of high school in Kissimmee, Florida, carried a 2-5 record with a 2.88 ERA in 19 appearances (18 starts) with the Crawdads this season.

Caden’s first outing with the Burgers was phenomenal, going 5 shutout innings with 9 strikeouts,1 walk, 1 hit, and a hit batsman. Scarborough gave way to Brooks Fowler, who despite a 2 out walk, managed to keep the streak of goose eggs alive for 3 more innings with another K and 2 walks.

The offense struggled to make run support off of Greenville right hander Blake Aita (4-3, 3.70). Through 6 innings, Hub City had mustered just 2 singles and 2 walks off him – all to no avail. But, as soon as he was replaced by Manuel Medina to start the bottom of the 7th. The very first pitch he threw was absolutely smashed by Gleider Figuereo into the Spartanburgers’ bullpen in right for his 18th home run of the season and first since July 30th in what was a 9-1 win against the Asheville Tourists.

Hub City added on to that lead in the ensuing half inning with a 2 out rally that began on a walk to Casey Cook. Malcolm Moore made it back to back free passes and John Taylor dealt the first of 2 insurance blows with an RBI infield single to 2nd. Gleider Figuereo followed it with a line drive into the right center gap to score Moore, making for a 3-0 lead and a save situation for Victor Simeon, who shut the Drive down with 3 strikeouts around a 1 out walk to reclaim the series lead and a tie for first place.

Tomorrow night, the Burgers will look to take sole possession of the top spot in the 2nd half standings as well as the playoff race as Dalton Pence (1-2, 1.67) faces a soon-to-be-named Greenville arm. First pitch is set for 7:05