T-Yanks Win in Walk-Off Fashion Over Threshers in Extras
Tampa, Fla. - The Tampa Yankees (16-23) snapped a four-game skid by defeating the Clearwater Threshers (21-18) 4-3 in 13 innings on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Dan Fiorito provided the walk-off hit with an RBI double off of the left field wall to drive in Anderson Feliz.
The Yankees took an early lead in the first. Angelo Gumbs led off with a single to right field. A groundout by Ben Gamel moved Gumbs to second. Rob Refsnyder then gave the Yankees an early lead with an RBI double to center.
Tampa starter Scottie Allen allowed one run on five hits. He struck out a season high seven batters in the no-decision.
Clearwater tied the game in the sixth. A one-out double by Carlos Alonso put the tying run on second. Alonso would score on an RBI double by Aaron Altherr.
The Yankees regained the lead in the seventh. After hitting a one-out single, Carmen Angelini stole second. Anderson Feliz gave Tampa a 2-1 lead with an RBI single up the middle.
The Threshers tied it back up in the eighth. Alonso walked to begin the inning. Altherr followed with a single. After Kelly Dugan drew a walk to load the bases, the Yankees brought in reliever Taylor Garrison. The right-hander got Maikel Franco to bounce into a double play. Alonso scored on the play to tie it at 2-2.
Garrison pitched into the 10th inning. Kyrell Hudson led off the inning with a double and moved to third on a wild pitch. Hudson later scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Altherr.
Down 3-2, Tampa came to bat in the bottom of the 10th. With one out, Ben Gamel singled off of Clearwater reliever Ryan O'Sullivan. After a walk by Refsnyder, Sanchez grounded into a fielder's choice resulting in a force out at second. Carmen Angelini came to the plate with runners on the corners. Down to his last strike, Angelini hit a line drive up the middle to drive in Gamel and tie the game, 3-3.
The game would move all the way into the bottom of the 13th inning. Feliz singled off of Threshers' reliever Luis Paulino (1-4) to lead off the frame. That set up Fiorito to deliver the winning run.
Yankees' reliever Rigoberto Arrebato (1-1) pitched three scoreless innings of relief. The left-hander allowed one base runner in the win.
The series will continue on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. RHP Bryan Mitchell will start for Tampa. LHP Hoby Milner is scheduled to pitch for Clearwater. Fans can enjoy Friends and Family Night sponsored by Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo. A family of four can enjoy four reserved tickets, four hotdogs, four chips, four sodas, four Tampa Yankees caps, and two passes to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo for just $38.
Saturday is also Bark at the Ballpark day sponsored by Fuzzie Buddies, Urgent Pet Care of South Tampa and The New Barker. Fans are invited to bring their dogs to the game. A pre-game dog fair featuring local pet vendors will begin at 4:30 p.m. All dogs must have a ticket. Tickets are available for $4 and $6. Event proceeds benefit The Humane Society of Tampa Bay.