Tarpons Fall to Threshers in Weather-Shortened Game, 4-3

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons (46-23) nearly rallied back from an early 4-0 deficit before lightning and rainfall led to a 4-3 defeat in five innings to the Clearwater Threshers (35-34) on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

After joining Tampa from the Florida Complex League earlier in the day, RHP Blas Castano debuted with the Tarpons by making the start. Clearwater scored quickly when Johan Rojas singled, stole second and scored on a base hit by Jadiel Sanchez. After taking third on a sacrifice bunt, Sanchez scored on a balk by Castano to give the Threshers a 2-0 lead.

In the second, Micah Yonamine lined a leadoff single and took second on a balk before scoring, one out later, on a double by Edgar Made. A bunt single by Jose Tortolero moved Made to third before a base hit by Rojas gave Clearwater a 4-0 lead. Castano limited the damage by inducing an inning-ending double play from Sanchez.

Castano (L, 0-1) allowed four earned runs on seven hits in three and two-third innings, walking none while striking out four on 63 pitches (40 strikes) in his debut.

After stranding a leadoff double in the first and failing to score after loading the bases with no outs in the second, the Tarpons broke through in the third against RHP Eduar Segovia.

A walk and a fielder’s choice combined with an error put

Austin Wells and Everson Pereira aboard. Juan De Leon entered as a pinch-runner for Pereira and, two outs later, an RBI double by Aldenis Sanchez scored Wells before a wild pitch allowed De Leon to score, cutting the deficit to 4-2.

Roberto Chirinos blasted a leadoff home run over the wall in deep right-center, trimming the score to 4-3 in the fourth. Two outs later, Segovia walked Wells before departing. RHP Chi-Ling Hsu (W, 1-0) entered in relief and got De Leon to fly out to end the frame.

Segovia allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks in three and two-third innings, tallying five strikeouts on 83 pitches (55 strikes).

Tampa put the leadoff batter on base for the fifth-straight inning when Andres Chaparro led off with a single in the fifth, but Hsu retired the next three batters to preserve a 4-3 lead for the Threshers.

Prior to the start of the sixth inning, the game entered a delay due to lightning in the area. Soon after, heavy rainfall began, and the game was declared official.

Sanchez (2-for-3, 2B, RBI) has now logged four multi-hit games among his eight games played since joining Tampa. Chirinos (1-for-2, HR, RBI, R) clubbed his first home run with the Tarpons.

The series continues Saturday at 6:30 p.m., presented by Fifth Third Bank. RHP Yoendrys Gomez (0-0, 3.92) is slated to make the start against RHP Cristian Hernandez (2-4, 3.48). Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and the first 500 fans will receive a mystery bobblehead. After the game, fans are invited to stay for a postgame fireworks show, presented by Spectrum.

On All-You-Can-Eat (& Drink) Saturday, for ONLY $49, fans can enjoy all-you-can-eat ballpark fare and beer/wine/soda/water from 6:00-8:30 p.m. Package includes a ticket to the game and access to the private Spectrum Dugout Club.