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Fire Frogs Bounce Back With Win Over Flying Tigers

Pache collects three hits, scores a pair on Saturday
(Greg Fencik)
April 21, 2018

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (April 21, 2018) - The Florida Fire Frogs bounced back with a 7-5 victory over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Saturday night at Osceola County Stadium, forcing a rubber match for the finale of the three-game set on Sunday morning.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (April 21, 2018) - The Florida Fire Frogs bounced back with a 7-5 victory over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Saturday night at Osceola County Stadium, forcing a rubber match for the finale of the three-game set on Sunday morning.

Florida (6-10) jumped out to the early, 1-0 advantage with an RBI single off the bat of Brett Cumberland  (2x4, R, RBI) in the first, plating Cristian Pache  (3x4, 2 R, 3B, RBI) after his one-out triple.
Lakeland (5-11) responded with a two-out rally against Bryse Wilson  in the second, with Jose Azocar turning an inside-out swing into an RBI single to right.
The Fire Frogs got the run back with another big hit from Pache, as the 19-year-old stroked a single into left, scoring Lucas Herbert  (1x3, R, 2B) from second for the 2-1 lead.
An RBI triple from Ray-Patrick Didder  (1x4, R, 3B, RBI) was followed by an RBI knock from Justin Ellison  (1x4, RBI) to create a three-run cushion heading into the fifth.
The lead would not last long as three errors in the fifth helped the visitors plate three runs in the inning, ending the night for Wilson. The 20-year-old finished his first home start of 2018 with four runs allowed (one earned) on four hits, two walks and five strikeouts in the no-decision.
Te Fire Frogs took the lead back with a three-spot of their own in the bottom half of the inning, with RBIs from Jared James  (1x3, RBI), Alejandro Salazar  (2x4, R, RBI) and Braxton Davidson  (1x4, RBI).
José Bautista  (1x3, R, BB) hit lead-off and started at third his 2018 debut on Saturday. The 37-year-old veteran flew out to left field on a 3-2 pitch in his first at-bate, flew out to center in the third, earned a walk to start the fifth, and bounced a single through the hole on the right side of the infield in his final plate appearance in the sixth.
Tom de Blok took the loss for the Flying Tigers with all seven runs allowed on 12 hits, one free pass and one punchout.
Bladimir Matos  (1-0) earned the victory with 1.1 scoreless frames out of the bullpen for Luis Salazar. The right-hander gave up just one hit, walked one and struck out one.
Chad Sobotka  (SV, 1) earned his first win of the season by recording the final four outs.
Florida committed three more errors in the seventh, leading to the fifth run of the day for Lakeland. The six defensive miscues on Saturday set a new team record, eclipsing the previous mark of four which had been accomplished twice in 2017.
The Fire Frogs go for the series victory in the finale of the three-game set at Osceola County Stadium. RHP Jeremy Walker  (0-1, 7.20) toes the rubber for the home team against LHP Gregory Soto (0-0, 3.97) for the visitors. First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m.
The weekend wraps up with Brunch & Baseball on Sunday morning, where ladies 21 and older, will be treated to a free brunch at the ballpark! Food will be served from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Complementary Bloody Mary's, Mimosas and Beermosas will be served from 10 a.m. - noon. All gentlemen, 21 and older, will have a $10 upgrade with admission.
For ticket and promotional information, please visit floridafirefrogs.com.
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.
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