Kyle Spencer picked up win in long relief at Gastonia; Saw four pro seasons, made high-A

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Kyle Spencer picked up the hard relief win in this August 1989 game at single-A Gastonia, a six-inning relief win, according to The Charlotte Observer.

He struck out nine batters, but also let runners on based. None scored, The Observer wrote.

"I couldn't seem to get by their leadoff hitters," Spencer told The Observer afterward. "But I was a starter last year, and I think I was used to going that long."

Spencer picked up that relief win in his second season as a pro. He played in two more. He topped out at high-A.

Spencer's career started in 1988, taken by the Rangers in the 26th round of the draft out of Missouri Valley College.

Spencer started with the Rangers at rookie Butte. He went 7-4, with a 4.14 ERA over 18 outings, nine starts.

He moved to single-A Gastonia for 1989. He went 11-5 there, with a 2.22 ERA in 43 relief outings, two starts. That April, he went four innings of relief, giving up two hits, but no runs and taking the win, The Observer wrote.

"We got outstanding pitching from (starter Eric) McCray and Spencer," Gastonia manager Orlando Gomez told The Observer.

Spencer arrived at high-A Port Charlotte for 1990 and returned there for 1991. He saw 43 relief outings in 1990, going 8-2, with a 1.63 ERA. He then went 4-4, with a 4.66 ERA in 38 outings, 38 outings, two starts in 1991. His 1991 campaign proved to be his last as a pro.

1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:3,962
Made the Majors:1,322-33.4%
Never Made Majors:2,640-66.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:541
10+ Seasons in the Minors:329

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