Big Day from PK Morris ends in Defeat

Dunedin jumped out to an early lead before eventually dropping the fifth straight game to start the season in Tampa.

It was an explosion of runs in the first two innings, and PK Morris was the main catalyst driving in three runs by way of a three-run home run in the first inning. Mack Mueller also had an RBI in the first. In total, the offense had four runs on four hits with two walks in the opening frame. This inning also had all nine batters come to the plate. The offense kept the pressure on in the second with a walk by Miguel Hiraldo followed by a stolen base and wild pitch to advance to third. He would later score on a Zach Britton single. The second run of the inning came across from a delayed steal of home by Orelvis Martinez after Mack Mueller stole second.

Winder Garcia began the game strong, giving up no runs on one hit in the first two innings. The Tarpons stormed back in the third with five runs of their own, but PK Morris made more of an impact following his first home run with another three-run shot. It was his second multi-home run game of his career with the other coming in 2018 against the Pulaski Yankees. The six-RBI day for Morris became a new career-high with his previous high being four.

The Tarpons finished their scoring for the game in the 5th inning with a seven-run outburst on just four hits. In the final four frames, the pitching staff settled in allowing just two hits in the last four innings. Roither Hernandez continued his strong start to the season, going another 2.0 innings with no runs allowed while striking out three. The Dunedin bats scratched across two more runs in the 6th inning by way of a couple of walks, but the tying run on first in the 9th was unable to come around to end the game 12-11 to the Tarpons.

Dunedin continued the aggressive mentality on the base paths with six stolen bases in the game. Harry Ray and Eric Rivera are now tied for second in the league in steals overall behind Jasiah Dixon of Bradenton. The team is second in the Low-A Southeast League in stolen bases with 13 behind the St. Lucie Mets with 14.