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Florida's Struggles Continue in Loss to Tampa

Losing streak reaches five after defeat to Yankees on Wednesday
(Tim Holle)
May 17, 2017

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (May 17, 2017) - The Florida Fire Frogs losing streak reached five games after dropping their third consecutive game to open up a four-game series with the Tampa Yankees at Osceola County Stadium on Wednesday night. The defeat dropped Florida into last place in the Florida State League

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (May 17, 2017) - The Florida Fire Frogs losing streak reached five games after dropping their third consecutive game to open up a four-game series with the Tampa Yankees at Osceola County Stadium on Wednesday night. The defeat dropped Florida into last place in the Florida State League North division.

Tampa (19-21) used another three-run third inning to pull ahead early against Florida (18-22). Jorge Mateo delivered the blow with a three-run shot on a 1-2 curveball from Ricardo Sánchez (2-4) to bring home the first three runs of the game.
The fourth-ranked prospect in the New York Yankees organization (Baseball America) scored another run in the fifth on a stolen base and a wild pitch to Chris Gittens to stretch the visitors' lead to 4-1.
Sanchez finished the night with all four runs allowed on seven hits, two walks and three strikeouts. The 20-year-old needed 93 pitches to work through the night, with 54 coming in for strikes.
Jacob Webb and Corbin Clouse continued the upward trend for the Fire Frogs' bullpen, as the duo allowed just two hits, walked two men, and struck out five through the final three innings.
The Fire Frogs snapped a 28.1-scoreless inning streak in the third inning with an RBI single to right by Omar Obregon (1x4, RBI). Alay Lago (1x3, R) started the inning with a liner off the leg of Taylor Widener (2-4), moved up to second on a hit-and-run groundout off the bat of J.B. Moss (0x3), and advanced to third on a grounder to second by Anfernee Seymour (0x4).
Widener worked just five innings in the winning effort for Tampa. The right-hander allowed one run on three hits and four strikeouts on 58 pitches (42 strikes). Dillon McNamara hit Alex Jackson (1x3) with one out in the ninth, but Austin Riley (0x4) bounced into a double play to end the game.
Florida will look to avoid the sweep in the finale of the four-game set on Thursday night at Osceola County Stadium. RHP Touki Toussaint (1-4, 7.86) takes the mound for the Fire Frogs against the Yankees' RHP Zach Littell (3-1, 2.78). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., with coverage starting at 6:50 p.m. on the Florida Fire Frogs Broadcasting Network.
The finale will feature Thirsty Thursday at the ballpark, where fans can enjoy 12 oz. beers and 12 oz. sodas for just $1 each.
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.