Despite Late Rally, Tampa Tumbles on Education Day, 8-6
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Tarpons fought until the end, rallying for five runs in the bottom of the ninth, but the St. Lucie Mets sealed a four-game sweep with an 8-6 win on Thursday afternoon at George M. Steinbrenner Field. An announced crowd of 4,440, the game was played
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Tarpons fought until the end, rallying for five runs in the bottom of the ninth, but the St. Lucie Mets sealed a four-game sweep with an 8-6 win on Thursday afternoon at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
An announced crowd of 4,440, the game was played in front of thousands of students from Hillsborough County Schools as part of Fifth Third Field Day.
RHP
At 64 pitches, Garcia returned for the fourth and allowed back-to-back one-out singles by
Garcia (L, 0-2) allowed two runs (neither earned) on four hits in four innings, walking two while striking out six. The 19-year-old threw 46 of 79 pitches for strikes and faced seven full-counts throughout his outing.
Tampa batters were held hitless by St. Lucie starter
The Mets added a run off RHP
Dibrell (W, 1-0) retired the next two batters before leaving the game. The right-hander allowed one run on three hits in five and two-third innings, walking one while striking out five, and threw 47 of 76 pitches for strikes.
Valdez struck out the side in a 1-2-3 sixth, but St. Lucie sent eight batters to the plate in the seventh. A bunt-single and a bloop-hit put Ghelfi and Tiberi aboard. After a sacrifice bunt by Moreno, Valdez intentionally walked Frazier to load the bases. Brody,
St. Lucie loaded the bases again in the eighth, when Rodriguez walked, Moreno singled an Frazier walked with two outs, but Valdez got a lineout by Brodey to leave the bags full.
RHPs
Castillo doubled into the right field corner and scored on a base hit by Cabrera. One out later, Sensley doubled to right, and
LHP
Cabrera (2-for-3, BB, RBI, R) had the lone multi-hit game for Tampa. Hill (1-for-3, BB, 2RBI, R) recorded an RBI for the third-straight game. Hess (1-for-4, 2B, RBI) extended his on-base streak to six-straight games. The Tarpons had five of their eight hits come in the ninth.
Up next, the Tampa plays three games at Jackie Robinson Ballpark against the Daytona Tortugas over the weekend. RHP
The Tarpons return home for a three-game series against the Bradenton Marauders, beginning on Monday at 6:30 p.m. On "Dog-On Mondays," fans can bring their dog to the ballpark with the purchase of a $2 dog ticket. Fans can also purchase an $8 lower reserved ticket that includes a hot dog, chips and a small drink (Special only available for purchase at the GMS Field Box Office).