Tarpons Erupt for 25 Runs vs. Blue Jays in 25-10 Final
TAMPA, Fla. – An early see-saw affair turned into another offensive outburst by the Tampa Tarpons (4-0) in a 25-10 drubbing of the Dunedin Blue Jays (0-4) on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Tampa scored double-digit runs in all but one inning on offense. Having already scored 40
TAMPA, Fla. – An early see-saw affair turned into another offensive outburst by the Tampa Tarpons (4-0) in a 25-10 drubbing of the Dunedin Blue Jays (0-4) on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Tampa scored double-digit runs in all but one inning on offense.
Having already scored 40 runs on 40 hits over the first three contests, the Tarpons proved the best was yet to come. Tampa collected a season-high 18 hits, including 10 extra-base knocks. Six different Tarpons totaled double-digit RBI, led by a career-best seven from
Following a scoreless first by Tampa southpaw
Anderson allowed four earned runs on four hits and two walks in an inning and a third, tallying two strikeouts on 42 pitches (24 strikes) in a no-decision.
A single, walk and catcher’s interference loaded the bases to open the third, and the Blue Jays retook the lead with a sacrifice-fly by Davis Schneider and an RBI hit by Justin Ammons before RHP Blane Abeyta retired the next two batters to end the frame.
The Tarpons rallied for three runs on five hits to take back the lead in the bottom of the third.
Zach Britton quickly tied the game with a leadoff homer in the fourth. Harrison Ray followed with a single, stole second and later scored on a go-ahead hit by Eric Rivera, giving Dunedin an 8-7 lead before RHP Ben Keizer (W, 1-0) struck out two to end the frame.
Volpe and Austin Wells drew back-to-back walks to open the home-half, and both advanced on a balk by RHP Tony Rosario (L, 0-1). Chaparro drove both runners home with a double into the left field corner, and Henson followed with a run scoring single into center for a 10-8 lead.
RHP Jol Concepcion started for Dunedin and allowed seven earned runs on eight hits in three innings, walking two while striking out three on 70 pitches (42 strikes).
RHP Alejandro Melean took over for Dunedin with one out in the sixth, and Tampa loaded the bases. A run scored as Burt reached on an error, and three more crossed the plate on a bases-clearing double by DeMarco, giving the Tarpons a 14-8 lead.
RHP Michael Giacone (H, 1) held the Blue Jays scoreless in the fifth and sixth before Ammons walked and scored on a double by Hiraldo to open the seventh. Hiraldo then scored as Orelvis Martinez reached on a fielding error, cutting the score to 14-10.
In the bottom of the seventh, Volpe walked and hustled for second as Wells reached on a fielder’s choice. The duo pulled off a double-steal before scoring on a two-run single by Chaparro. One out later, a walk and a single loaded the bases, and all three runs scored on the ensuing triple by Dunham. DeMarco followed with an RBI groundout, pushing the lead to 20-10.
Tampa put two on with two out in the eighth before the Blue Jays changed pitchers. Burt greeted RHP Thomas Ruwe with a three-run blast to left. Dunham followed with a walk before DeMarco smashed a two-run shot to left, capping a five-run frame for a 25-10 score.
RHP
DeMarco (4-for-6, HR, 2B, 7RBI, 2R), Burt (3-for-6, HR, 5RBI, 3R), Chaparro (3-for-5, 2 2Bs, BB, 4RBI, 5R), Henson (3-for-3, HR, HBP, 4RBI, 3R), Dunham (1-for-5, 3B, BB, 3RBI, 2R) and Volpe (1-for-4, 2B, 3BB, 2RBI, 3R, SB) all drove in multiple runs. Narvaez (2-for-5, 2B, BB, 3R) also tallied double-digit hits and runs scored.
The series continues on Saturday at 6:30 p.m., with RHP
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