Tarpons fall flat in Series Finale; Split series with Mighty Mussels

TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Tarpons’ (2-1) bats went silent in the 9-1 loss to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (1-2) at George M. Steinbrenner Field Sunday afternoon. Tampa’s pitching staff struggled to keep the Mighty Mussels off the bases, while their own lineup only produced two total baserunners.

Despite Fort Myers hanging a crooked number on the scoreboard, RHP Baron Stuart (4.2IP, 5H, 3R, 2ER, 3BB, 7K) gave the Tarpons 4.2 solid innings. Stuart held the Mighty Mussels to an average exit velocity of 84 MPH on the day while using the two-pitch mix of his sinker and slider.

The Mighty Mussels took the lead in the third after they loaded the bases. A wild pitch brought in the first run of the afternoon, and a bases-loaded walk to Dylan Neuse extended the lead to two.

Rubel Cespedes doubled down the right field line to open the third, and Nesue brought in his second and third RBIs of the game on a two-run homer over the right field wall.

Gregory Duran started the sixth with a double past a diving 1B Beau Brewer. After a walk and another single, the bases were juiced for Danny De Andrade. He cleared the bases on a double past CF Daury Arias. After the double, Cespedes picked up his third hit of the day, launching a home run to right field to grow the already sizable Fort Myers lead to nine.

After entering in the eighth inning, 3B Ronny Rojas doubled with one out in the ninth. He moved to third on a groundout and scored to prevent the shutout on an RBI groundout from Brewer.

The Tarpons will be back in action when the Daytona Tortugas come to town Wednesday to start a six-game series. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. with RHP Hayden Merda on the mound at GMS Field.