STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Steven Farinaro earned his franchise record ninth win of the season as the State College Spikes got homers from Ryan McCarvel and Ricardo Bautista to take a 5-2 victory over the Aberdeen IronBirds on Monday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
With the win and Hudson Valley’s loss to Lowell, the Spikes (46-23) took over the best record in the New York-Penn League, and now have a one-game lead for the top seed in the NYPL playoffs with seven games remaining in the regular season.
State College is also nearing the club’s single-season record for victories, as the 2013 and 2014 division champions each won 48 games.
Farinaro (9-1) surpassed the record he previously shared with Tyler Cox and Kevin Decker by tossing six innings and yielding one unearned run on five hits. The right-hander also struck out five batters.
The lone run against Farinaro scored on Chris Clare’s single in the second, stopping his scoreless innings streak at 14. However, the 2013 11th-round draft choice has still gone 19 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run.
McCarvel’s home run, a two-run shot to left that gave the Spikes the lead in the fourth, was his ninth of the year. The first baseman is now tied for the most home runs by a right-handed hitter in franchise history, as Alex De Leon first hit nine in 2014. McCarvel is also level with Stephen Wrenn of Tri-City for the second-most home runs in the NYPL.
Bautista then drilled his own long ball to right field in the sixth with a three-run homer, his second of the year.
Aberdeen (27-41) responded with a double from Cole Billingsley to plate another run in the seventh, but Collin Woody was thrown out at the plate by left fielder Mick Fennell and shortstop Tommy Edman trying to score on the same play.
Eric Carter (7) recorded the save after tossing two scoreless innings in which he gave up two hits while striking out one batter.
The Spikes and IronBirds will meet for the middle game of their three-game set in a 7:05 p.m. matchup on Tuesday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Left-hander Dewin Perez (3-4) will get the ball for State College, while Aberdeen will go with right-hander Cody Sedlock (0-1).
Fans can bring their favorite four-legged friends to the ballpark for the third and final Bark in the Park Night of the season, presented by Metzger Animal Hospital and NEWSRADIO 1390 WRSC. The night will include several dog-related promotions and activities throughout the evening, including dog-themed in-game entertainment and music before and during the game.
For a complete list of Bark in the Park Night rules and policies, fans can log on to StateCollegeSpikes.com.
The fun continues with $2 Walking Taco Tuesday, presented by B94.5. Walking Tacos will be available for just $2 apiece at the Salsa stand behind Section 104, as well as at satellite locations around the ballpark. Tuesday night also marks PSU Homecoming Night at the ballpark.
The homestand will conclude with a 7:05 p.m. game against Aberdeen on a Half-Craft Wednesday, presented by 93.7 The BUS. Wednesday will also be THON Night as The Meadows presents the game.
In addition, college students across Central PA can enjoy even more value during every remaining Spikes home game with the College 3-2-1 Special. The College 3-2-1 Special offers any college student presenting a valid student ID at ticket and concessions windows $3 Outfield Bleacher seats or $3 off seat in any other ballpark section, excluding Pepsi Picnic Pavilion and suites, plus $2 medium sodas and $1 hot dogs all game long.
Plus, in anticipation of as many as four potential September home playoff games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, Spikes Four-Game Playoff Packs are now available for purchase. Playoff Packs start as low as just $16 per seat and include a $4 per game savings off the single-game price. In addition, each seat purchased as part of a Four-Game Playoff Pack will come with a free, limited-edition Spikes Rally Towel while supplies last.
Fans can purchase Four-Game Playoff Packs by visiting the Spikes Ticket Office at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, or by calling (814) 272-1711 during Ticket Office hours (9 a.m. to end of game on game days Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to end of game on game days Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on non-game days Monday-Friday).
Catch all of the action on Tuesday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Health, at 6:35 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The Spikes’ radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the “Listen Live” link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by the club’s flagship radio home, Newsradio 1390 WRSC, as well as the TuneIn Radio app.
Spikes fans can also catch home games in 2016 even when outside Central PA thanks to the new partnership with MiLB.TV to stream all games online to paid subscribers of the service. MiLB.TV offers fans the chance to follow the game’s future stars across Minor League Baseball, with more than 5,000 games streamed live, including affiliates of all 30 MLB teams, and complete game archives available on demand. Fans can subscribe to MiLB.TV monthly at $12.99 a month.
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