Spinner shortstop Carlos Tovar turns a double play after getting Tri-City infielder Taylor Jones at second base.(Photo courtesy of George DeLuca/Connector)

The Lowell Spinners (9-1) fell to the Tri-City Valleycats (4-6) on a Sunday night at LeLacheur Park ending their nine-game winning streak to start the 2016 season.

Despite a strong sixth inning, which saw four runs for and a triple for left fielder Tyler Hill, the Spinners were unable to make a comeback in the 11-6 defeat.

Lowell trailed early on, after a scoreless first inning. The visiting Valleycats scored four runs after two walks were allowed by the Spinners’ starting pitcher, Darwinzon Hernandez, and a double. Hernandez was replaced during the second inning by Algenis Martinez. Another double gave the Valleycats their fifth run of the night.

The Spinners struggled at bat throughout the night, not scoring until the fourth inning when designated hitter Roldani Baldwin was able to make it home. However, the top of the fourth saw a Valleycat home run, leaving the Spinners down by five going into the fifth inning.

Martinez’s final pitching inning remained 6-1, and Casey Jansenn replaced Martinez at the start of the sixth inning. However, the rehabbing major league player was unable to make his presence known. Jansenn pitched for one strikeout and one walk in his only inning.

The Spinners came within one run of the Valleycats in the sixth inning. Hill’s triple to center field sent three runners home, and McLean made it home off of a double from Baldwin. The sixth inning ended 6-5 and looked to be a comeback for Lowell.

Pat Goetze came on for Lowell in the seventh inning and hit two batters on his first two pitches. Tri-City loaded the bases on an earned walk. A sacrificial fly ball sent another runner home for the visiting team. Another walk by Goetze loaded the bases again, and a double to left field brought three more runners in. A throwing error by catcher Nick Sciortino let Tri-City earn their final run of the night. The seventh inning ended 11-5.

Lowell came back to score one last run off of right fielder Matt McLean’s first triple of the season in the eighth inning. The home team was able to stop the Valleycats from scoring any other runs but lost momentum at bat in the final two innings.

The Spinners remain home for Monday night at 7 p.m., where they will conclude the three-game series with the Valleycats.