Blue Jays Split Weekend with Tampa to Keep Slim Division Lead

GAME ONE
Game one of the series began on Friday with RHP Josh Winckowski (3-5) on the hill for Dunedin and LHP Frank German (4-4) for the Tarpons. In the top of the third, Tampa pushed across four runs off Winckowski. Steven Sensley smaked a homer to right to kick-start the rally. Estevan Florial and Oswaldo Cabrera doubled back to back to make it 2-0 Tarpons. Two batters later, Diego Castillo smashed a two-run shot to left to push the Tarpons lead to 4-0.
The rains came in the bottom of the fourth halting the game and leading to an eventual suspension. Play resumed on Saturday and the Blue Jays were only able to muster a run in the eighth. Tampa went on to score two more runs in the seventh and eighth to bring the score to its' final of 6-1. RHP Glenn Otto (2-2) notched the win in a four inning performance out of the bullpen.
GAME TWO
Dunedin stumbled out of the gate for the second consecutive game but completed the 5-3 come-from-behind win. In the top of the first, Oswaldo Cabrera hammered a three-run homer to left to push Tampa out in front 3-0.
The Blue Jays plated a run in the second, and two in the third to tie the game at three apiece. As the official home team, Dunedin had the last licks at the plate in the bottom of the seventh. With a man aboard, Alejandro Kirk ripped a fastball over the wall in left to give Dunedin the walk-off victory.
RHP Jackson Rees (3-1) notched the win on the hill, tossing 2.1 innings scoreless.
GAME THREE
Game one proved to be a back and forth contest with twists and turns throughout. The two teams exchanged runs in the third and in the bottom of the fourth, Norberto Obeso lined a single to left-center to score Kevin Vicuña to give Dunedin their first lead of the game.
Vicuna drove in a run in the fifth with a single to right to give Dunedin the two-run lead. RHP Kyle Johnston (1-3) came out of the bullpen for rehabbing RHP Clay Buchholz (0-0), and worked into the top of the seventh. The Tarpons put two aboard for the pinch-hitting Alexander Palma who drilled a three-run homerun to right-center to give Tampa the 4-3 lead.
Dunedin clawed back in the bottom of the seventh. Demi Orimoloye singled and stole second to move into scoring position. Vicuna flared a single to right to score Orimoloye to tie the game. The Tarpons struck right back and took the lead for good on Estevan Florial's RBI single to right in the top of the eighth. The Jays left the tying run at third in the bottom of the frame to fall 5-4.
GAME FOUR
In game two, the Blue Jays took the lead first and never relented. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson made the start and pitched five innings, giving up one earned run on five hits while striking out three to tally his second win of the season.
In the bottom of the second, Samad Taylor drove in Kacy Clemens with a single. In the bottom of the fourth, Dunedin put two runners aboard knocking RHP Daniel Bies (0-1) out of his start in the process. Reggie Pruitt , Chavez Young , and Ryan Noda all singled in runs to put Dunedin up 4-0.
After scoring a run in the fifth, the game was put out of reach with a five run sixth innings. With the bases loaded, Chris Bec drilled a grand slam to left. Kacy Clemens followed promptly with a homer to right to put the game out of reach.
With the two wins over the weekend, the Blue Jays division lead holds at two over second place Tampa in the FSL North Division second half standings. After a league wide off-day on Monday, the Blue Jays return home for a three game series against Daytona. The first pitch is set for 6:30 on Tuesday from Jack Russell Memorial Stadium.