Avelino Leads Yankees Past Blue Jays, 5-3
TAMPA, Fla. - Abiatal Avelino drove in a run and scored three more, helping the Tampa Yankees (1-1, 43-28) defeat the Dunedin Blue Jays (1-1, 34-37), 5-3, on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
The Yankees took three separate leads throughout the game.
In the first, Thairo Estrada grounded a two-out single up the middle and scored as Austin Aune tripled off the base of the wall in dead-centerfield. In the fourth, Avelino yanked a leadoff home run to left, giving the Yankees a 2-0 advantage.
LHP Ian Clarkin made his 14th start and took a shutout into the sixth before leaving the game with two on and two out. RHP Joey Maher entered in relief and surrendered a game-tying, two-run double to Gunnar Heidt.
Clarkin got tagged for two earned runs on four hits in five and two-third innings, walking three while tallying seven strikeouts. The southpaw threw 57 of his 98 pitches for strikes.
Tampa regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth off Dunedin starter Francisco Rios. Avelino sliced a triple into the right field corner and Connor Spencer singled to center, giving the Yankees a 3-2 lead.
Rios notched a quality start, allowing three earned runs on six hits in six innings. The right-hander walked a pair, struck out none and threw 49 of 82 pitches for strikes.
Matt Marsh took the hill for Tampa in the eighth and Emilio Guerrero greeted the righty with a game-tying, leadoff home run to left.
The T-Yanks took back the lead in the eighth. Avelino collected his third hit with a one-out single off RHP Adonys Cardona (L, 1-1). After a walk by Spencer, RHP Conor Fisk entered in relief. Zack Zehner walked, loading the bases, and Connor Oliver singled to right, scoring Avelino. Wes Wilson added insurance with an RBI sacrifice fly.
Marsh (W, 5-1) (BS, 4) struck out the final six batters he faced, earning the win in relief.
Avelino (3-for-4, HR, 3B, RBI, 3R, SB) hit his fifth home run and finished the game a double shy of the cycle. Aune (1-for-4, 3B, RBI) tallied his second triple and 31st RBI. Oliver (1-for-4, RBI) recorded his first RBI since joining Tampa. Wilson (1-for-3, RBI, SF) tallied his seventh RBI.
The series wraps up on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. with RHP Will Carter (0-2, 7.62 ERA) on the mound for the Yankees against RHP Justin Shafer (0-4, 6.85 ERA) for the Blue Jays.
Every Saturday Tampa Yankees home game, all military receive a FREE upper reserved ticket with valid I.D. Kids run the bases before the game from 5-5:15pm. Player Autographs on concourse from 5:10-5:30pm. **Ticket special can ONLY be redeemed at the George M. Steinbrenner Field Box Office.