TAMPA, Fla. -- Timely hitting helped the Tampa Tarpons (20-16) pick up their 20th win of the season in a 4-3 victory over the Florida Fire Frogs (14-22) on Saturday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Tampa claimed the rubber game to win the series.Florida starter Ian Anderson retired the
TAMPA, Fla. -- Timely hitting helped the Tampa Tarpons (20-16) pick up their 20th win of the season in a 4-3 victory over the Florida Fire Frogs (14-22) on Saturday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Tampa claimed the rubber game to win the series.
Florida starter Ian Anderson retired the first five batters he faced before Diego Castillo lined a two-out single in the second. Tim Lynch followed with a double hooked into the right field corner, scoring Castillo. Angel Aguilar then flared a soft liner into left-center, plating Lynch for a 2-0 lead.
Albert Abreu made his third start for Tampa and took a no-hitter into the fifth. A two-out walk by Braxton Davidson proved to be the only blemish until Davidson cranked a solo homer over the right field wall in the fifth. Davidson's third home run of the season cut the Tampa lead to 2-1.
An error helped Florida tie the game in the sixth. Cristian Pache reached on a fielder's choice and was awarded second base when a throw by Hoy Jun Park sailed into the first base camera well. Kevin Josephina flew out to right and Pache tagged up to third, barely beating the throw in by right-fielder Alexander Palma . Pache then scored on a wild pitch, knotting the game at 2-2.
Anderson allowed two earned runs on four hits in five innings in a no-decision. The right-hander issued a season-high four walks while tying a season-high with seven strikeouts.
Tampa took back the lead against RHP Jon Kennedy (L, 2-2) with a two-out rally in the sixth. Aguilar reached on a hit-by-pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch before scoring on a double off the right field wall by Keith Skinner . Estevan Florial followed with a double down the right field line, scoring Skinner. Greg Bird then pulled a line drive into right and right-fielder Raysheandall Michel threw Florial out at the plate.
Abreu (W, 1-0) logged his first quality start of the season, yielding two runs (one earned) on one hit in six innings. The righty tallied a season-high seven strikeouts while issuing a pair of walks.
Taylor Murphy greeted reliever Adonis Rosa (SV, 1) with a leadoff home run in the seventh, cutting the Tarpons lead to 4-3. The right-hander went on to retire the next nine batters he faced to pick up his first save of the season.
Bird (1-for-3, BB) played the entire game as the designated hitter in his third rehab game with Tampa. Billy McKinney (1-for-4, 2B) also played his third rehab game with the Tarpons, playing seven innings in left field.
Florial (1-for-4, 2B, RBI) extended his on-base streak to 29-straight games. Castillo (2-for-4, R) logged his eighth multi-hit game of the season. Aguilar (1-for-2, BB, HBP, RBI, R) reached base three times.
The Tarpons will enjoy a league-wide off day on Sunday (Mother's Day) before continuing their home stand with four games against the Dunedin Blue Jays. RHP Trevor Stephan (2-1, 1.85) will make the start for Tampa in the series-opener. Live play-by-play audio will be available on the Tarpons Radio Network
On "Dollar Dog Night, bring your dog to the game with the purchase of a $1 Dog Ticket. Fans can also enjoy $1 hot dogs all night long.
