Lightning doesn’t strike twice, Tarpons split doubleheader
TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons (12-6) split their doubleheader Friday afternoon against the Daytona Tortugas (7-12) at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Tampa used a combination of light’s out pitching and hard contact hitting to take the opener, 8-1. Unfortunately, it did not translate into game two. Daytona found their
TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons (12-6) split their doubleheader Friday afternoon against the Daytona Tortugas (7-12) at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Tampa used a combination of light’s out pitching and hard contact hitting to take the opener, 8-1. Unfortunately, it did not translate into game two. Daytona found their footing in the weather-shortened nightcap and came out victorious, 6-2.
GAME 1
Tampa manhandled Daytona in game one, using a barrage of offense to win handedly. RHP Yon Castro started the game on Thursday and pitched three strong innings before rain pushed the remainder of the game into Friday. Castro did not allow a single hit and struck out five Tortugas.
2B Ben Cowles got the action started in the bottom of the second, doubling on a ground ball down the third base line. CF Madison Santos followed up with a double of his own to score Cowles for Tampa’s first run of the game. Next, C Ben Rice walked to load the bases. From there, the Tarpons would score one more run on a passed ball that went right through the legs of Hayden Jones behind the plate.
The bottom of the third was equally fruitful for Tampa. SS Alexander Vargas drew a walk to lead off the inning and 1B Anthony Garcia also drew a full-count free pass. With two on and one out, 3B Marcos Cabrera laced a grounder through a hole on the left side to drive in Vargas. Cabrera would later come around to score on a single by Madison Santos to put the Tarpons ahead, 4-0.
Both sides would have to wait until the next day to finish the game as the skies opened up and washed out the field.
RHP Juan Carela (6-2) picked up where Tampa left off on Thursday and started dealing in the top of the fourth. He cruised through the continuation, surrendering only one run over the remaining six innings.
The Tarpons got the bats moving in the fifth, starting with Garcia who pulled a ground ball single through the right side. Cabrera and Madison Santos both reached via the walk to load the bases. Up next, Rice delivered an RBI single to Fidel Castro in right field. Garcia came around to score but Cabrera was thrown out at home trying to take the extra base. RF Raimfer Salinas was hit by a pitch to load the bases again, but 2B Luis Santos grounded out to end the threat.
Daytona’s sole run came in the top of the sixth when Steven Leyton smoked a line-drive RBI double to plate Austin Callahan.
Rice added a couple more insurance runs for Tampa in the seventh. With a hitter’s count, Rice blasted an absolute laser beam to right center for a two-run homer. Rice’s fourth homer of the season plated Madison Santos and increased the Tarpons’ lead to 7-1.
Santos was responsible for adding one last run in the bottom of the eighth, plating Garcia on an RBI groundout to shortstop.
GAME 2
Game two did not go as swimmingly for the Tampa Tarpons. The Daytona Tortugas rode a couple of longballs to capture the shortened nightcap, 6-2.
Daytona immediately jumped on RHP Trevor Holloway (3-2) in the top of the first. Austin Callahan set the tone for the visitors with a lead-off double to left. Callahan advanced to third on a ground out by Rafael Franco and later scored on a SAC Fly by Michel Triana. Jack Rogers and Braylin Minier ripped back-to-back singles to right field which set Daytona up with runners on the corners and two out. Michael Trautwein slapped an RBI single to SS Ben Cowles which scored Rogers and put the Tortugas up 2-0.
CF Madison Santos crossed the plate for Tampa’s first run in the bottom of the second inning, scoring on a passed ball by Trautwein behind the dish.
Speaking of Trautwein, he crushed his first homer of the season in a bizarre sequence. RHP Bailey Dees appeared to have set Daytona’s backstop down on strikes, but the Tortugas challenged the strike three ruling and it was overturned. Trautwein then sent the next pitch into orbit to increase their margin to 3-1.
Tampa responded immediately the following frame as LF Christopher Familia collected an RBI-single in his Tarpons debut. Familia’s liner found some open grass in left field to plate 1B Anthony Garcia.
Michel Triana added some crucial insurance for the Tortugas in the fourth by launching RHP Kevin Milam’s 1-0 offering well beyond the right field fence for a two-run jack. The Tortugas tagged Milam again in the fifth with an RBI double courtesy of Callahan to inflate Daytona’s lead to 6-2.
Lightning strikes were detected around the area before the start of the sixth which prompted both umpires to call the game official.
The Tarpons and Tortugas return to action tomorrow night for game five of their six game set. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM EST, with RHP Chandler Champlain (2-5, 4.34 ERA) slated to make the start for Tampa.
Minor League Baseball, Joe Torre Safe At Home partnership enters ninth year
For the ninth year, Minor League Baseball and Joe Torre Safe At Home have teamed up to raise awareness about violence and abuse and to inspire fans of all ages to join them in SAH’s critical work. This year, 63 MiLB teams will participate in an in-ballpark initiative from May
MiLB podcast discusses Anthony, Caglianone at Triple-A
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
These are the greatest Minor League promos happening in June
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
New playoff format coming to 2025 Dominican Summer League
Minor League Baseball announced the 2025 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season will begin June 2 with Opening Day festivities taking place at the Boston Red Sox Academy in Guerra. The 2025 campaign will also see the introduction of the DSL Cup, a new playoff format that will see 16 DSL
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
With all the hype that has surrounded Roman Anthony over the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget how young he really is. MLB's No. 1 prospect played 70 games at the highest level of the Minors before he could order a beer. But he can now. Roman Anthony turned
Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
For years, Christian Moore and Jac Caglianone laced up their cleats against one another in the SEC. A rivalry that spanned Florida, Tennessee and other landmarks across the South moved to Salt Lake City this week as the Royals and Angels' top prospects got simultaneous Triple-A promotions. So it was
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other