Burgers End Losing Streak; Defeat Drive 6-2

After seeing their losing skid stretch to 4 games on an extra inning walkoff in game 2 despite clutch two-run homers from Luke Hanson and Malcolm Moore, Hub City looked to get back on the rails Thursday night as Enrique Segura (0-0, 6.00 ERA) would meet Greenville right hander Kyson Witherspoon (0-1, 6.00).

The Burgers’ offense caught an early break after a 1 out walk to Arturo Disla followed by a Rafe Perich single to right that Disla went 1st to 3rd on. A disengagement violation for too many pickoff throws to 1st advanced both runners and got Hub City on the board. But they would end up leaving Perich in scoring position as Paxton Kling went down swinging and Ben Hartl flied to right to retire the side.

Greenville got that run back with a little help from the Burgers in the bottom half after Justin Gonzales drew a leadoff walk and went 1st to third on a 1 out Yoeilin Cespedes double that came as a result of a miscommunication and subsequent collision between Maxton Martin and Luke Hanson in shallow left. That set up an RBI sac fly from Gerardo Rodriguez, tying the game at 1 heading to the 2nd.

Hub City dealt a much bigger blow in the ensuing half inning after back to back 1 out walks to Quincy Scott II and newcomer Carter Garate when Luke Hanson picked up where he left off last night with his 2nd homer in a row. This was a three run blast to dead center that gave the Burgers a 4-1 edge.

Enrique Segura threw a clean 2nd, but in the bottom of the third, he beaned Justin Gonzales with one out and continued to struggle with command. After a pop up to 1st for the 2nd out, he gave up a single to Yoeilin Cespedes and walked Gerardo Rodriguez on a full count to load the bases. Jack Winnay drew another full count free pass to force home Gonzales, but the Drive would end up leaving the sacks full thanks to a stellar running snag by Quincy Scott II in the deepest part of the yard to keep Hub City’s lead at 4-2.

Rafe Perich added to the lead with a leadoff solo blast to right in the 5th — his first of the season. The Burgers had a chance to add on when Paxton Kling walked and stole 2nd, but he was caught stealing for the 2nd out following a grounder to short from Ben Hartl. Gleider Figuereo would later ground to short to retire the side with Hub City leading 5-2.

The Burgers chalked up another in the 7th on a rally that started with a 1 out walk to Disla. He was later forced on a fielder’s choice Rafe Perich beat out. Paxton Kling then worked a walk on a full count to set up a Ben Hartl RBI single to center. Hub City would go on to leave men on the corners when Figuereo grounded to short, but the lead was extended to 6-2 at the stretch.

That advantage held the rest of the way as Brock Porter and Cole Stasio combined to toss 5 shutout innings in spite of Greenville threatening 4 times in that span. The duo walked 2 and gave up three hits, but fanned three, earning Porter the win in relief.

The series continues tomorrow as Hub City, now 10-13 on the season, will send J’Briell Easley (0-0, 3.52 ERA) to the bump to face Anthony Eyanson (0-0, 0.54). First pitch is set for 6:45 PM.