T-Yanks Lose Heartbreaker to Hammerheads, 8-7

Tampa, Fla. - The Tampa Yankees (15-20) took a 7-3 lead into the ninth inning on Monday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Jupiter Hammerheads (17-19), though, scored five runs to win, 8-7.

The Yankees got off to a great start by scoring six runs in the first inning. Mason Williams led off with a double to left field. After a walk by Ben Gamel, Rob Refsnyder drove in Williams with an RBI single. Gary Sanchez then cleared the bases with a three-run home run to left field. Anderson Feliz then tripled to center field. Saxon Butler then drove him in with an RBI sacrifice fly. Eduardo Sosa later doubled to right field. Jose Toussen then singled in Sosa to give Tampa a 6-0 lead.

Jupiter starting pitcher Jose Urena allowed six runs on 11 hits and one walk while striking out three in four innings pitched.

The Hammerheads scored first in the second inning. After a one out triple by Issac Galloway, Austin Nola drove him in with an RBI groundout.

A leadoff walk by Alex Burg in the fourth inning led to another Jupiter run. Burg moved to third on a double by Ryan Rieger. Galloway then drove in Burg with a groundout to make it 6-2.

Jupiter scored again in the fifth. With one out, Michael Main singled to left field. A wild pitch allowed Main to reach second base. With two outs, Brent Keys reached on an error by Anderson Feliz at third base. Main moved to third on the play. With Burg batting, Keys stole second. As Gary Sanchez threw to second, Main stole home.

Yankees starting pitcher Bryan Mitchell allowed three runs on three hits in six innings pitched. He surrendered one walk while striking out three in the no-decision.

RHP Taylor Garrison made his Tampa Yankees debut in the seventh. Garrison pitched two scoreless innings while allowing one hit and striking out two.

With a 7-3 lead in the ninth, Tampa brought in RHP Dan Mahoney (0-2). After a strikeout by Galloway, Austin Nola reached on an error by Refsnyder at second. Ryan Goetz and Main then followed with singles to load the bases. Josh Adams then delivered a three-RBI double to left-center field. Yefri Perez came in to pinch-run for Adams. A groundout by Keys allowed Perez to take third. Mahoney then walked Burg to put runners on the corners. The Yankees brought in RHP John Brebbia to face Rieger. A fly ball by Rieger sailed towards right field. The ball hit off of Sosa's glove and fell for a two-base error. Perez and Burg scored to give Jupiter an 8-7 lead.

Singles by Sanchez and Butler gave Tampa a chance in the bottom of the ninth. Hammerheads closer Nick Wittgren, though, was able to escape the threat and earn his league-leading eighth save of the season.

Jupiter reliever Rob Waite (1-0) earned the win after pitching two scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth.

The series will continue on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Tampa will send RHP Corey Black to the mound. Jupiter will counter with LHP Justin Nicolino. The Principal Financial Dreams Tour is at Steinbrenner Field tomorrow and the first 500 fans will get a TY Rally Towel. Fans can also enjoy Tijuana Flats 2 for Tuesday with "2-for-1" deals on tickets, programs, speed pitch and select concession items.