STATE COLLEGE - An enthusiastic crowd was dampened more ways than one on Super Splash Day at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Wednesday afternoon. The State College Spikes fell to the Lowell Spinners, 5-1, in the final game of a three-game series.
State College (14-19) was led on offense by Andy Vasquez, who went 2-for-3 with the Spikes' lone run batted in. Vasquez collected his RBI off of Lowell (17-15) starter Kason Gabbard, the major leaguer who was making a rehab start for the Spinners. Butch Biela scored on Vasquez's second-inning hit after doubling to lead off the frame.
Gabbard went three innings, allowing a run on five hits and three walks against the Spikes.
Lowell took the lead with two runs in the top of the second inning, and added two more in the sixth before Adam Westmoreland capped off the scoring with a solo home run to right field in the seventh inning.
With the win, the Spinners took two out of three games from the Spikes, dealing State College its first home series loss since a June 28-30 set against Mahoning Valley.
Ricardo Paulino (0-2) took the loss for State College after going four innings and allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits and a walk. Paulino also struck out three batters.
Jose Alvarez (4-1) picked up the win for Lowell after pitching six shutout innings in relief of Gabbard. Alvarez allowed four hits and a walk while striking out three.
Tonight, the Spikes resume their Pinckney Division schedule with a 7:05 p.m. matchup against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, affiliates of the Cleveland Indians. State College will send right-hander Kyle McPherson (1-2) to the mound to face Mahoning Valley right-hander Preston Guilmet (2-2).
