The Hudson Valley Renegades’ four-game winning streak came to an end Thursday night at the hands of the Lowell Spinners. The Spinners got the best of the Renegades by the score of 5-2 in a game that saw solid starts by both starting pitchers.
It was a pitchers’ duel through the first seven innings on the backs of Mikey York for the Renegades and Jay Groome. York went six strong yielding just two runs, both on solo homers. His command was spectacular outside of the two mistakes with eight strikeouts and no walks. It was the second straight impressive start by York, who gave up just one hit in five innings his last time out.
Groome one-upped York’s performance with five innings of no-hit ball. He struck out six and walked two. Groome, the No. 2 ranked prospect in the Red Sox’s organization and No. 35 overall according to MLB.com, was making his third rehab start for the Spinners.
Aside from two solo homers by Spinners Nick Hamilton and Juan Barriento, the offense was quite on both sides. The Renegades broke into both the hit and run columns in the seventh inning, starting with a single by Oscar Rojas. Rafelin Lorenzo followed with a single, and Angel Perez knocked in the Renegades first run. Deion Tansel tacked on another, knotting the game at two.
The tie didn’t last long, as the Spinners put a two-out rally together in the eighth. A leadoff walk, sac bunt, intentional walk, and hit by pitch set the stage for a huge three-run double by Stanley Espinal. The Spinners took a 5-2 lead and didn’t look back. The Renegades loaded the bases and brought the winning run to the plate in the ninth, but Dominic LoBrutto struck out Emilio Gustave to end the game.
For the Spinners, Devon Fisher was credited with a blown save and the win while LoBrutto earned the save. The Renegades’ Drew Strotman was charged with the loss. The win brings the Spinners to 3-7 while the Renegades fall to 6-3.
The two will face off again on Friday night at Dutchess Stadium.