LOWELL ' The almighty free-pass and a lacking lumber supply did in the Lowell Spinners on Thursday night at LeLacheur Park as they fell, 6-1, to the Connecticut Tigers.

Connecticut starting pitcher Endrys Briceno kept the Spinners in check as he put together his best performance of the season, throwing six innings of scoreless ball, allowing only two hits and a walk while striking out five as he earned his second victory of the year.

'His last two outings have been amazing,' said Tigers manager Andrew Graham. 'He made some great adjustments, is pounding the zone and attacking hitters. His first couple of outings he was getting behind and leaving the ball up, but he's made some great adjustments.'

On the other side of the spectrum, Spinners pitching allowed eight walks and seven hits on the night as the Tigers found themselves with at least one runner on base in every inning but the ninth.

Juaner Aquavivas led the Tigers attack, going 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored and five other Connecticut batters picked up a hit on the night.

'When we struggled earlier in the season we had no patience at the plate and were getting ourselves out,' said Graham about his team's offense. 'We've been talking to them about plate approach and discipline and it's starting to show.'

Lowell batters struck out nine times and they collected only two hits through the first seven innings, with their lone run coming in the ninth on a Kolbrin Vitek double that plated Devin Marrero.