Tarpons Steal Late Tally in 4-3 Triumph

KISSIMMEE, FLA.: The Florida Fire Frogs climbed out of an early 3-0 hole, but the Tarpons turned to Pablo Olivares whose prowess on the base paths guided Tampa to a 4-3 win and a series victory on Wednesday evening at Osceola County Stadium.

Olivares began the eighth with a single against RHP Caleb Dirks to put the go-ahead run on in a 3-3 game. He proceeded to steal two bases in the inning, forcing an errant throw by Fire Frogs catcher Logan Brown while taking third which enabled him to score for a 4-3 Tarpons edge.
Olivares began his 2-4 night by doubling in the first against RHP Walter Borkovich to start Tampa's most productive offensive inning. He was plated by an Alexander Palma knock. Three consecutive hits from Diego Castillo, Wilkerman Garcia, and Steven Sensley brought in two more runs for a 3-0 lead after an inning.
Palma reached base twice, drawing a walk in the sixth.
Drew Lugbauer started the Fire Frogs attack in the second versus RHP Miguel Yajure. A Brown single moved him to third. Garrison Schwartz grounded into a fielder's choice allowing Lugbauer to touch up; 3-1 Tarpons.
Two runs against Yajure in the fourth tied the contest at 3. Kevin Josephina began the frame with a double. An infield single from Jefrey Ramos advanced Josephina to third. Brown's second base hit of the game brought Florida to within 3-2. A fielder's choice from Rusber Estrada forced in Ramos to even the game.
Brown turned in his 10th multi-hit effort of the season. Ramos has now hit safely in 9 of his last 10 assignments.
Estrada is now 5-10 and collected his third RBI since returning from the Injured List on Saturday.
Josephina improved to 4-8 in the series with Tampa, going 2-4 at the dish on Wednesday. His fourth inning double nearly cleared the fence in right but turned out to be his 18th double of the season.
Yajure didn't receive a decision for the Tarpons, scattering six hits and three runs with three strikeouts mixed in over six innings to pick up his fourth straight quality start against the Fire Frogs this season. RHP Jefry Valdez (1-3) was the winner, retiring nine of the ten batters he faced and fanning three of them.
Borkovich settled in nicely after a rough first inning, permitting just one hit the rest of the way and setting down the last 11 Tarpons he dealt with. He surrendered six hits and three runs across five frames. RHP Troy Bacon worked around a hit and a walk over six outs. Dirks (2-1) took the tough-luck loss, yielding a hit and an unearned run with four punch outs while also tossing two stanzas.
NEXT UP: RHP Freddy Tarnok (3-7, 5.07) looks to help the Fire Frogs salvage a game in the set opposite RHP Frank German (4-4, 3.78). Thursday afternoon's contest will commence with the first pitch being fired home at noon.
Patrons can get their hands-on BOGO canned beer and slushies. Our beer countdown continues on Thursday as draft beer will be discounted down to $4.
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW: https://www.milb.com/florida/tickets/single-game-tickets
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.