Fulmer Tortures Tortugas in Rehab Appearance

Lakeland, FL - Michael Fulmer threw two perfect innings with four strikeouts in a rehab start, teaming with Gregory Soto to lead the Flying Tigers to a 7-1 victory.

Fulmer was electrifying in two innings of work, striking out four without allowing a baserunner on just 18 pitches. The rehab start was his first live-game action since being placed on the DL on July 20 with a left oblique strain.
The Flying Tigers scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second when catcher Austin Athmann singled in AJ Simcox from third base, giving Fulmer an early 1-0 lead. Gregory Soto, Tuesday's originally scheduled starter, entered in relief in the third and picked up where Fulmer left off. Soto threw seven strong innings, striking out five and walking none.
Lakeland's offense broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs and the bases loaded, Derek Hill worked a walk to plate Danny Pinero. Leadoff man Luke Burch followed with a ground-rule double to increase the lead to four. Second baseman Chad Sedio then raced around the bases on a fly ball that kicked off the outfield wall, scoring three on an inside-the-park-home-run.
Soto's only mistake of the night was to Ibandel Isabel, who deposited a sixth-inning pitch over the centerfield wall for his Florida State League-leading 30^th home run of the season. Isabel now sits just three shy of the Florida State League single season home run record, which is held by Edward Levy, who hit 33 in 1950, and James Fuller, who hit 33 in 1971.
With the win today, Soto is now 5-2 with a 2.35 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) at Publix Field. When pitching on the road, Soto is 2-4 with a 7.75 ERA in just as many games. Soto's overall record sits at 7-6 as he maintains a 4.42 ERA.
Up Next: The Flying Tigers will send the Florida State League's ERA leader, Spenser Watkins (8-4, 2.31 ERA), to the mound to clinch a series victory against the Tortugas on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for All-You-Can-Eat Night, featuring Abuelo's. Enjoy all the hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, Little Caesars pizza, popcorn, pretzels, and peanuts you can eat from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Fans 21 and older can enjoy $3 wine, sangria and spritzers. Get your tickets at http://bit.ly/2P33S29 by calling the BayCare Box Office at (863) 413-4140.