Although the Spikes dominated most of last night's game against the Batavia Muckdogs, a four-run Muckdog surge in the eighth inning denied the Spikes of their 10th win. The Spikes fell 8-5.
Pitcher Rudy Owens entered the game for the Spikes in the sixth inning as part of the piggy-backing tandem that the Spikes have used a lot this season. Owens pitched three innings, struck out two batters but gave up all four of the runs in the decisive eighth inning.
After giving up four singles and a double late in the eighth, Owens was charged with the loss for the Spikes, while Muckdogs reliever Hector Cardenas got the hard fought win. Adam Reifer entered the game in the ninth inning to capture his 12th save of the season.
The game started well for the Spikes with a leadoff triple to left field courtesy of Chase d'Arnaud. d'Arnaud's triple was part of a Spikes offense that totaled 10 hits in a losing effort.
The Spikes (9-31) were able to get on the board in the third inning when center fielder Ciro Rosero scorched a ball over the left field fence. Rosero's two-out home run off Joshua Hester gave the Spikes a 1-0 lead, but the Muckdogs wasted no time battling back.
In the bottom of the third inning the Muckdogs got a line drive single from Charles Cutler, which was followed by an RBI double from Jose Garcia. The Spikes were able to minimize the damage by forcing Colt Sedbrook to fly out to center field, only surrendering one run in the inning.
The Spikes got a respectable outing from starting pitcher Kyle McPherson, who pitched five innings, giving up three runs. Although McPherson didn't record any strikeouts, he was backed by a strong offense, which was highlighted by Quincy Latimore's four hits.
The Spikes chipped away at the Muckdogs in the fourth inning by adding singles from Butch Biela and Latimore. Biela's single was enough for him to extend his hitting streak to nine games. Biela and Latimore then scored on a double into left field by catcher Miguel Mendez.
The Spikes struck again in the fifth inning when d'Arnaud reached first base on a throwing error by Muckdogs third baseman Jermaine Curtis. Jeremy Farrell capitalized on the Muckdog mistake by adding an infield single, which set up the Spikes for another two run inning.
The Muckdogs rebounded from their shaky inning to record three consecutive doubles and capitalize on a fielding error by Farrell. Their hitting spree resulted in three runs and put them back in a one-run game.
