Jupiter Clinches Series with 7-2 Win Over Tampa
Tampa, Fla. - RHP Josh Hodges pitched six shutout innings to help the Jupiter Hammerheads (19-19) defeat the Tampa Yankees (15-22) 7-2 on Wednesday afternoon at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Jupiter scored in the first inning. Brent Keys led off with a single to left field. After stealing second, Keys later scored on a two-out RBI single by Issac Galloway.
The Hammerheads put together a four run inning in the fourth. Galloway reached on a double. With two outs, Ryan Goetz drove in Galloway with an RBI single. Josh Adams continued the inning with a single. Michael Main then drove in Goetz with a single to left field. Following a walk by Keys, Alex Burg added to the lead with a two-RBI single. That gave Jupiter a 5-0 lead.
Hodges (1-1) didn't allow any walks and struck out four on his way to earning his first win of the season.
In the seventh, the Hammerheads added two more runs. Burg led off the inning with a single. Austin Barnes later walked to put runners on the first and second. Galloway drove in Burg with a double to center field. Ross Wilson walked to load the bases. Goetz then drove in Barnes with an RBI single to give Jupiter a 7-0 lead.
Yankees starter Shane Greene (3-3) allowed five runs on eight hits in five innings pitched. He walked two and struck out three in the loss.
Tampa would avoid the shutout by scoring twice in the ninth. Jupiter reliever Patrick Merkling hit Mason Williams with a pitch to lead off the inning. Ben Gamel followed with a double to center field, moving Williams to third. Williams would score on an RBI single by Rob Refsnyder. Gary Sanchez picked up his 31st RBI of the season by plating Gamel with a sacrifice fly to center field.
The series will wrap up on Thursday at 7 p.m. RHP Sean Black will start for Tampa. Jupiter will counter with RHP Anthony DeSclafani. Fans can enjoy Thirsty Thursdays sponsored by Sports Talk 1040. $1 sodas will be offered, as well as half price draft and bottled beer from 6-8:00 p.m.