Sanchez Goes Deep Twice in Yankees 9-4 Win

Tampa, Fla. - Every batter in the Tampa Yankees (4-5) lineup reached base in a 9-4 win over the Daytona Cubs (4-5).  Gary Sanchez led the way with two homeruns and four RBI in the victory.

Sanchez got things started in the first inning. After a double by Mason Williams and an infield single by Ben Gamel, Sanchez blasted a ball over the left field wall to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead.

Yankees starting pitcher Mikey O'Brien (1-1) had five strikeouts thru the first two innings.  O'Brien went on to receive the win after pitching five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out seven and walking one.

Daytona scored one run in the fourth inning. After hitting a two-out single, John Andreoli stole second base. Stephen Bruno then drove him in with an RBI single to make it 3-1.

Tampa scored again in the fourth. After a single by Carmen Angelini, Fu Lin Kuo picked up his first Tampa Yankees hit with an RBI double. Eduardo Sosa then singled in Kuo to make it 5-1.

In the sixth inning, Sanchez showed off his power once again. This time, he drove a ball to the opposite field for his second home run of the night.

The Cubs battled back in the later innings. After a leadoff triple by Javier Baez in the sixth, Dustin Geiger drove him in after reaching on a fielding error. With two outs in the eighth, Bruno drove in Baez for his second RBI of the night. Geiger then drove in Bruno to cut the deficit, 6-4.

Insurance came for the Yankees in the bottom of the eighth. With a runner on first and two outs, Francisco Arcia reached on an error by Bruno at second base. Daytona reliever Eduardo Figueroa then walked Kuo and Sosa to drive in a run. Williams delivered a ground-rule double to drive in two more runs.

The Yankees and Cubs will wrap up the series with a 1 p.m. game on Sunday on Silver Sluggers day at Steinbrenner Field.  Seniors ages 55 and older get a free hot dog, popcorn, and soda with the purchase of a reserved ticket ($5) at the Steinbrenner Field Box Office.  RHP Scottie Allen is scheduled to pitch for the T-Yanks against RHP Zach Cates for Daytona.