Middlebrooks gives Lowell walkoff win

June 23, 2008 02:06 am

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LOWELL — Will Middlebrooks blasted a fly ball to center field that was deep enough to score Ronald Bermudez and give the Lowell Spinners a 3-2 walk-off victory over the Vermont Lake Monsters.

Lowell took a 1-0 lead in the third when Bermudez plated Ryan Dent with a sacrifice fly. But Vermont scored twice in the eighth to take a 2-1 advantage.

Mitch Dening opened Lowell's half of the ninth with a single, advanced to third on the double by Bermudez and scored on a single by Carlos Fernandez-Oliva. Middlebrooks, the top Red Sox prospect in Lowell, then delivered the victory for the Spinners.

Dening led the way with three hits to up his team-high average to .417. Bermudez and Fernandez-Oliva each had two hits.

Coming off his stellar start on opening day, Lowell starter Brock Huntzinger pitched five shutout innings, striking out four. Stephen Fife retired all six batters he faced. Lance McClain allowed the two runs, but picked up his first professional victory.

Lowell opens a six-game road trip in Oneonta today at 7 p.m.

Nashua 10, Ottawa 6

NASHUA, N.H. — Nashua catcher Luis Rodriguez accounted for three of his squad's 15 hits as the Pride pounded the Ottawa Rapidz, 10-6.

Center fielder Vinny Pennell enjoyed his second four-hit game within a week, going 4 for 5 with a double and an RBI. Second baseman Ismael Castro added three hits and two RBI, while Jack Joffrion, Aregenis Tavarez, Bryan Duplisssie and Sandy Almonte each knocked in a run for the winners.

Pride starter Jarrett Stawarz earned his second victory of the season, allowing three earned on 10 hits over 61/3 innings. Adam Piechowski recorded his first save of the season with 22/3 scoreless innings.

The Pride kick off a seven-game road trip at Atlantic City today at 7:05 p.m. Nashua is scheduled to send German Melendez (1-1) to the mound.

New Hampshire halted due to rain

MANCHESTER, N.H. — New Hampshire led the Portland Sea Dogs 4-1 through four innings before the game was postponed due to rain. The Fisher Cats have not announced a date for the game's completion.

Anthony Hatch delivered the big hit for New Hampshire with a three-run double. Travis Snider also drove in a run and Ricky Romero allowed only four hits over four innings.