Cubs Sweep Series, Crush T-Yanks 11-2

TAMPA, Fla. - 11 runs behind a strong outing by Ivan Pineyro led the Daytona Cubs (33-19) to an 11-2 win over the Tampa Yankees (25-33). With the win, the Cubs completed a series sweep and have tallied seven straight wins over the Yankees.

The teams traded runs in the first inning.

With one out, two walks and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for the Cubs. Wes Darvill later delivered an RBI single, driving in Pin-Chieh Chen.

The Yankees responded after Mikeson Oliberto walked and stole second. A groundout by Taylor Dugas sent the runner to third and an RBI sacrifice fly by Robert Refsnyder tied the game at 1-1.

Daytona regained the lead with a run in the second. Ben Carhart led off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. One out later, Elliot Soto drove in Carhart with a fly ball to shallow center. Taylor Dugas dropped the baseball, allowing the Cubs to take a 2-1 lead.

The Cubs scored rallied for seven runs to take a 9-1 lead in the third. Yankees' starter Cesar Vargas allowed five straight hits to begin the frame. Singles by Bryant, Anthony Giansanti and Darvil scored the first run. Carhart then delivered an RBI double, driving in two more. A single by Yaniel Cabezas placed runners on the corners. Elliot Soto scored Carhart with a sacrifice fly. After a 3-0 count to Zeke Devoss, Vargas departed the game with an apparent injury. Tampa reliever Ben Paullus came in and completed a walk of Devoss. After a flyout by Chen, Dan Vogelbach singled in Cabezas. Bryant then drove in two more runs with an RBI double down the left field line. Giansanti popped out to end the inning.

Vargas (0-3) allowed eight runs on seven hits and four walks in two and a third innings pitched. The righty struck out two in the loss.

Paullus pitched a perfect fourth inning before allowing two more runs in the fifth. Soto singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch to leadoff the frame. Devoss reached on a hit-by-pitch and was retired at second on a fielder's choice by Chen. Vogelbach then walked on a wild pitch, allowing Soto to score. After a strikeout by Bryant, Chen scored on a single by Giansanti, giving Daytona an 11-1 advantage. RHP Edixon Mejia relieved Paullus and retired Darvill on a pop-up to end the frame.

Tampa pushed a run across in the eighth. Oliberto led off with a double and moved to third on a single by Dugas. Refsnyder then drove in Oliberto with a groundout to second.

Pineyro (3-1) got the win after allowing one run on five hits and three walks. The right-hander struck out six. RHP Yao-Lin Wang recorded his fourth save after allowing one run on three hits while striking out six in three innings of relief.

Refsnyder went 1-for-2 with a walk and a sacrifice fly while driving in both runs for Tampa.

The Yankees travel to Clearwater on Monday to begin a four-game commuter series with the Threshers. The series concludes on Wednesday with the final two games of the series being played in Tampa as part of a double-header at 5:00pm. On Wednesday, fans can enjoy Kids Night where kids 14 and under receive a free hot dog, soda and ice cream with the purchase of a reserved ticket ($5) at the Steinbrenner Field Box Office.