TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Yankees (30-29) broke a scoreless tie in the sixth inning, but the Jupiter Hammerheads (25-32) scored two late runs to steal a 2-1 win in the series finale, salvaging a split of the four-game set, on Tuesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.The T-Yanks snapped
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Yankees (30-29) broke a scoreless tie in the sixth inning, but the Jupiter Hammerheads (25-32) scored two late runs to steal a 2-1 win in the series finale, salvaging a split of the four-game set, on Tuesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
The T-Yanks snapped RHP Jeff Brigham's no-hit bid when Nick Solak led off the bottom of the sixth with a single into centerfield. Solak stole second and reached third on a wild pitch before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Sharif Othman .
RHP Albert Abreu made his sixth start for Tampa and struck out a pair while retiring all six batters he faced over two scoreless innings, firing 16 of 22 pitches for strikes.
RHP Jose Mesa Jr. surrendered a leadoff double by Roy Morales in the third, but would not allow another Jupiter batter to reach base over three shutout relief innings, striking out four.
RHP Jose Pena took the baton in the top of the sixth and walked the leadoff batter before ending the inning with two pop-outs and a strikeout. The first two batters in the seventh drew walks, but a failed bunt by Brad Haynal led to an out at third base and Pena escaped by retiring the next two batters.
Greg Bird delivered the Yankees' only other hit when he blasted a leadoff double to the wall in left-centerfield in the bottom of the seventh. Chris Gittens reached on a hit-by-pitch before getting thrown out at second on Trey Amburgey's fielder's choice. Brigham struck out Tito Polo and reliever Eric Alonzo (W, 1-0) caught Solak looking to end Tampa's scoring opportunity.
Brigham took a no-decision after holding the Yankees to one earned run on two hits in six and two-third innings, walking one while striking out five and throwing 57 of 75 pitches for strikes.
RHP Anyelo Gómez (L, 2-2) struck out the side in the eighth while allowing the tying run. J.J. Gould doubled into the left field corner and later scored on a two-out, RBI single by Junior Arrojo. In the ninth, Stone Garrett drilled a triple to the wall in left-centerfield and scored the go-ahead run on a base hit to right by Morales.
RHP Tyler Kinley (SV, 3) struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth to close the game for Jupiter.
Bird (1-for-4, 2B) played his sixth game with Tampa, batting third and playing first base for all nine innings. The 24-year-old is currently on a rehab assignment, returning from re-aggravating a bone bruise in his right ankle originally suffered towards the end of Spring Training.
Up next, the T-Yanks begin an eight-game road trip in Fort Myers on Thursday. RHP Brody Koerner (0-1, 3.60 ERA) will start for Tampa against Miracle RHP Brady Anderson (2-1, 4.01 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. from Hammond Stadium.
The Yankees return home following the Florida State League All-Star break to host the Florida Fire Frogs on Monday, June 19th at 7:00 p.m. On "$1 Hot Dog Monday," fans can enjoy $1 Scooter Dogs all night. For tickets and more information, call (813) 673-3055 or visit www.tybaseball.com.
