Bichette Jr. Homers in T-Yanks Loss to Threshers
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Yankees (7-6) fell 4-1 in the rubber game with the Clearwater Threshers (3-10) on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field as a 15 mph win turned at least two home runs into fly outs.
Rafael De Paula struck out a season-high seven batters in a no-decision. The righty allowed one run on two hits and two walks in six innings of work.
A double by Harold Martinez led off the second inning. Martinez advanced to third on a passed ball by Peter O'Brien and later scored on a groundout by Casey Serna.
Tampa tied the score in the fourth when Dante Bichette Jr. found a way around a hard breeze in from center field. Bichette blasted a home run down the left field line for his first long-ball of the season.
Threshers' starter Miguel Nunez (1-1) held the Yankees to one run on six hits, striking out six in seven innings pitched.
RHP Zach Woods pitched a scoreless seventh inning before running into trouble in the eighth. Anthony Phillips worked a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brian Pointer. A wild throw by Woods towards second allowed Ponter to reach first. One out later, Aaron Altherr drilled a two-run triple down the right field line. A single by Martinez scored Altherr and gave Clearwater a 4-1 lead.
The Yankees had a chance in the bottom of the eighth against reliever Dan Child. Jake Cave led off with a single and was forced out at second as Cito Culver reached on a fielder's choice. A single by Eric Jagielo brought the tying run to the plate. Bichette Jr. worked a full count before Child struck him out. With two outs, Peter O'Brien sent a long fly to left and Justin Parr made the catch near the track to end the inning.
Child walked the first two batters he faced in the ninth before Clearwater brought in reliever Lee Ridenhour. Reymond Nunez hit into a double play at second and Claudio Custodio grounded out to shortstop as Ridenhour earned his first save of the year.
O'Brien extended his hitting streak to 10 games, going 2-for-4 with a double. Cave collected three singles, going 3-for-4. Zach Wilson drew a walk in an 0-for-3 night (including a fly out on the warning track in left) in his Tampa Yankees return.
Up next, the T-Yanks hit the road for a three-game series with the Daytona Cubs at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
The Yankees return home to host the Brevard County Manatees on Monday, April 21st. All Military will receive FREE admission with a valid military I.D. as part of Uncle Bob's Self Storage Military Monday. In addition, all fans can enjoy half price burgers, chicken tender baskets and small sodas from 6:00-8:00pm.