BRADENTON, Fla. - Following an hour and 39-minute rain delay, the Tampa Yankees (33-31) defeated the Bradenton Marauders (36-25), 2-1, in an extra-inning series-opener on Monday night at LECOM Park.Kyle Holder snapped a 1-1 tie with the would-be game-winning, two-out RBI single in the top of the 11th.Jose Mesa Jr.
BRADENTON, Fla. - Following an hour and 39-minute rain delay, the Tampa Yankees (33-31) defeated the Bradenton Marauders (36-25), 2-1, in an extra-inning series-opener on Monday night at LECOM Park.
Kyle Holder snapped a 1-1 tie with the would-be game-winning, two-out RBI single in the top of the 11th.
Jose Mesa Jr. scattered a hit and two walks over three scoreless innings in his first start of the season, taking a no-decision. The right-hander tallied four strikeouts and threw 30 of 54 pitches for strikes in his first start since his professional debut with the Gulf Coast League Yankees on June 26, 2014.
Jhalan Jackson clobbered a solo home run (his seventh) over the left field wall off Bradenton starter Bret Helton in the second, giving Tampa an early lead. Helton allowed one earned run on two hits in four innings, walking three while striking out three and throwing 47 of 77 pitches for strikes.
The Marauders tied the game off RHP Jose Pena in the fifth when Alfredo Reyes singled into right and scored when Casey Hughston pulled an RBI double into the right field corner.
Peña bounced back with a scoreless sixth before RHP Jordan Foley took over and retired the side in order in the seventh. Bradenton placed runners at second and third with one out in the eighth and Foley struck out Will Craig before getting Jordan George to line out, preserving the tie.
After allowing a leadoff single by Christian Kelly in the bottom of the ninth, RHP Andrew Schwaab (W, 4-1) retired the final nine batters he faced over three shutout relief innings.
Nick Solak legged out an infield single to open the 11th, advanced to second on a passed ball by Kelly and to third on a wild pitch by RHP Jess Amedee (L, 3-2) before scoring on Holder's line drive into right field.
Solak (3-for-4, 2B, R) recorded his third three-hit game and his 13th multi-hit game after entering the game defensively in the second for Chris Gittens (0-for-1). Gosuke Katoh (0-for-2, 3BB) reached base three times.
The series continues on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. with RHP Taylor Widener (3-6, 4.33 ERA) scheduled to face RHP Gage Hinsz (2-4, 6.80 ERA). Live audio will be available on the Tampa Yankees Radio Network beginning at 6:20 p.m.
