Flying Tigers Cap Wild Comeback with Wild Walk-Off

The Flying Tigers scored six runs in the seventh and eighth to overcome Johnny Barbato's shaky major league rehab start, eventually winning when Cole Peterson scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the tenth.

Barbato showed rust in his first appearance since landing on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis, leaving the bases loaded after recording two outs in the first inning. Probable starter Anthony Castro entered in relief and allowed back-to-back doubles to Kacy Clemens and Ivan Castillo, yielding an early four-run deficit. Lakeland scratched out a run on a sacrifice fly by Kade Scivicque in the bottom half of the frame.
Castro faced trouble yet again with two out in the top of the fifth. With the bases loaded, Castillo hit a routine grounder to short, but first baseman Dylan Burdeaux could not catch the throw cleanly as two Blue Jays crossed the plate. Eudis Idrogo replaced Castro in the sixth to face Alberto Mineo, who homered to stretch Dunedin's lead to six.
Down 7-1 in the seventh, the relentless and resilient Flying Tigers began to mount an improbable comeback against the Blue Jays bullpen. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases with nobody out for the top of the order. Luke Burch grounded out, scoring AJ Simcox. Danny Pinero followed with a three-run home run, cutting the lead to 7-5. In the eighth, Derek Hill singled home Peterson and Pinero added a sacrifice fly to tie the game. A scoreless ninth gave way to the first extra-inning game at Publix Field this season.
With a runner starting at second base in the top of the tenth, Eduardo Jiménez held the Blue Jays at bay and preserved the tie. In the bottom of the tenth, Simcox sacrificed Peterson to third with one out. Blue Jays closer Jackson McClelland then uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Peterson to score the winning run, capping the Flying Tigers immaculate comeback with an 8-7 win.
With the victory, the Flying Tigers now sit three games back of the Blue Jays for first place in the Florida State League North Division.  
Up Next: Gregory Soto (4-5, 4.68 ERA) will square off against Yennsy Diaz (3-3, 4.00 ERA) and the first-place Blue Jays on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., looking to clinch a series win for the Flying Tigers.
Fans can play baseball bingo at tomorrow's game, beginning in the second inning. All fans can enjoy $2 tacos and adults 21 and older can enjoy $3 margarita and Modelo specials. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Get your tickets at http://bit.ly/2Lg7X4F or by calling the BayCare Box Office at (863) 413-4140.