Lakeland Erases Deficit Three Times, Beat Blue Jays 11-9 to Even Series

Lakeland, FL — The Dunedin Blue Jays (49-57, 17-23) had their chances Friday night, building three separate leads, two of which were by four runs, but the Lakeland Flying Tigers (53-52, 27-13) managed to comeback each time, finally taking their first lead in the eighth inning to win 11-9.

Dunedin jumped out to an early lead in the second after Edward Duran doubled to straight-away center, bringing in Abiezel Ramirez as the games first run. Then in the third, Braden Barry singled and Manuel Beltre walked to leadoff the inning, and Jace Bohrofen homered for the second time in as many games played for Dunedin, a 3-run shot to put the DJays up 4-0.

But that lead did not last long at all. The Flying Tigers answered back for four runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game back up, one being charged to MiLB-rehabber RHP CJ Van Eyk, and the following three to bullpen arm RHP Grayson Thurman.

But Dunedin would answer back themselves in the fourth. Duran and Barry both reached on base hits, setting up runners on first and second for Beltre, and after just missing out on two warning track shots Wednesday night, Beltre finally got his. Beltre crushed a first pitch fastball to left for his fifth of the season, and the second 3-run blast on the night for Dunedin to retake the lead, 7-4. Duran would drive in another in the fifth for his second RBI of the night, giving the Blue Jays their four-run lead back.

But again, Lakeland wouldn’t stay down. The Flying Tigers answered right back for three on MiLB-rehabber RHP Cobi Johnson in the bottom of the fifth, then another to tie it up on RHP Jiorgeny Casimiri, tying it up again 8-8.

Dunedin would take the lead back for the third time after Bohrofen doubled to leadoff the seventh, coming in to score from third on a double play, but Lakeland would tie it up once more on a Casimiri wild pitch to make it 9-9. Then finally in the eighth, two walks by RHP Michael Brewer put runners on, and Jim Jarvis would rip a double to right field, scoring both to give the Flying Tigers an 11-9 lead, their first time on top all night.

Lakeland RHP Eric Mendez would make quick work in the ninth, getting the Blue Jays down in order to earn his second save of the year, tying the series back up at two games apiece.

With the loss, Dunedin dropped to 17-26 in the second half, and Lakeland maintained their tie for the West Division lead with Clearwater. Both teams have the opportunity to clinch at least a split of the series on Saturday night at Joker Marchant Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Live coverage will be available starting at 5:45 p.m. on the Dunedin Blue Jays Radio Network.