Bats Go Quiet in Defeat to Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. (June 20, 2017) - The Florida Fire Frogs dropped the middle game of a three-game series against the Tampa Yankees, 6-0, on Tuesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Fire Frogs dropped to 0-6 against the Yankees this season, having scored just three runs over that span.

Tampa (38-31) used three consecutive hits to put Florida (25-40) in an early deficit with a two-spot in the second inning against Ricardo Sánchez (3-7). Nick Solak singled and Kyle Holder doubled to right to start the frame. Anfernee Seymour made an errant throw on the play, allowing Solak to score on the play and give the Yankees a 1-0 lead.
Jhalan Jackson followed with a run-scoring single to left, plating Holder for the second run in the second inning.
The Yankees added three more runs against Sanchez in the fourth to open a five-run difference. The Fire Frogs' starter faced off against Jeff Hendrix with the bases loaded and two outs, but a passed ball by Wigberto Nevarez allowed Jackson to score from third and advance Gosuke Katoh and Jorge Mateo an extra base.
Hendrix drove a two-run single to left to bring home the runners to put Florida behind by five.
Sanchez finished the night with five runs allowed on eight hits, a walk and six strikeouts on 76 pitches (47 strikes) across just four innings in the loss.
The home team added an extra run in the sixth against Taylor Lewis with an RBI single off the bat of Holder to stretch the deficit to six for Florida.
The Fire Frogs offense managed just three hits and drew one walk against Dillon Tate (1-0) in his High-A debut. The 2015 first-round draft pick by the Texas Rangers struck out five batters in 5.2 innings of work, needing 67 pitches (46 strikes) before being lifted for James Reeves with a runner on first and two outs in the sixth.
Alay Lago (2x4, 2 SB) had the most success against the young right-hander with two hits and two stolen bases. Alejandro Salazar (1x3) picked up the third hit against the Yankees' starter in the sixth inning.
Lewis, Josh Graham , Jacob Webb and Sean McLaughlin combined to toss the final four frames out of the bullpen for Florida. The relievers allowed just one run on four hits, issued one walk and struck out one.
The Fire Frogs will look to avoid their third sweep of the season - and second to the Yankees - in the finale of the three-game set on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field to wrap up the first half. LHP Drew Harrington (4-6, 3.65) takes the mound for Florida against Tampa's RHP Brody Koerner (2-1, 2.45). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
The Fire Frogs return to Osceola County Stadium on Thursday, June 22 to take on the Florida Fort Myers Miracle. The opener to that series is "Thirsty Thursday" at the ballpark, where fans can enjoy 12 oz. beers and sodas for just $1.
About the Florida Fire Frogs
The Florida Fire Frogs are the Advanced-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and compete in the Florida State League. The Fire Frogs play their home games at Osceola County Stadium, located at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Fla. For more information, please visit www.FloridaFireFrogs.com, and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.