TAMPA, Fla. -- A ninth-inning error allowed the Flying Tigers to score a go-ahead run as the Tarpons dropped their third-straight contest, 3-2, on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.Will Carter took a no-decision in his second start with Tampa (26-25). The right-hander logged his second quality start since
TAMPA, Fla. -- A ninth-inning error allowed the Flying Tigers to score a go-ahead run as the Tarpons dropped their third-straight contest, 3-2, on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Will Carter took a no-decision in his second start with Tampa (26-25). The right-hander logged his second quality start since joining the Tarpons from Double-A Trenton.
Dom Thompson-Williams broke up a scoreless tie in the fourth by pulling solo homer over the wall in right-center. It was Thompson-Williams' fourth home run with Tampa and his ninth overall blast over a span of 20 games this season with the Tarpons and the Single-A Charleston River Dogs.
Carter took a no-hitter into the sixth inning until Cam Gibson crushed a game-tying homer into the right field seats. It was the second homer of the series for Gibson, giving him three on the season.
Isaac Paredes and Dylan Burdeaux both singled off Carter to open the seventh. A base hit by Luke Burch allowed Paredes to score the go-ahead run. LHP Phillip Diehl entered and escaped the jam by striking out both Shepherd and Anthony Pereira before getting Derek Hill to fly out.
Lakeland starter Tom de Blok walked both Mandy Alvarez and Kellin Deglin to begin the bottom of the seventh. LHP Evan Hill (BS, 1) entered and Alvarez tagged to third on a fly out by Angel Aguilar . One out later, Castillo tied the game with a two-out RBI single.
Diehl struck out two more batters in a perfect eighth, retiring all six batters he faced.
Brandon Wagner drew a leadoff walk off in the eighth before Hill struck out Isiah Gilliam . RHP Jeff Thompson (W, 1-0) entered and struck out Thompson-Williams before getting Alvarez to fly out to end the frame.
Paredes greeted RHP Andrew Schwaab (L, 0-1) with a single in the ninth, but was forced out at second as Burdeaux reached on a fielder's choice. A base hit by Burch put two on with one out, setting up a double play opportunity. Zac Shepherd pulled a ground ball towards shortstop and the ball rolled between Castillo's legs and into left field, allowing Burdeaux to score the decisive run.
Deglan lined a leadoff single off Lakeland closer Eduardo Jiménez in the ninth, but Jimenez (SV, 9) retired the next three batters to pick up the save.
Carter allowed two earned runs on four hits in six innings, walking three while striking out three. The right-hander threw 56 of 97 pitches for strikes.
De Blok also logged a quality start, yielding two earned runs on four hits in six innings. The righty walked four, struck out three and threw 47 of 72 pitches for strikes.
Gilliam (1-for-4, 2B) extended his hitting streak to six games. Castillo (1-for-4, BB, RBI), Wagner (1-for-3, BB), Thompson-Williams (1-for-3, HR, BB, RBI, R) and Deglan (1-for-3, BB) each reached base twice.
The series wraps up with a doubleheader on Thursday. RHP Nick Nelson (1-2, 6.89) will face RHP Alex Faedo (1-3. 3.35) in Game 1 at 5:00 p.m. The pitching matchup for Game 2 is TBA. Live play-by-play audio will be available on the Tarpons Radio Network.
On "Taco Thursday," fans can enjoy the all-you-can-eat Taco and Nacho bar for $18, $5 house Margaritas, and $4 Coronas from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
