Dominguez, Cowles fuel comeback – Tarpons win 7-5

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons (18-21) kept the ball rolling Tuesday night, defeating the Lakeland Flying Tigers (17-22) for their fourth consecutive victory, 7-5. The Tarpons found themselves playing catch up nearly all game after a nightmarish second inning yet persevered behind some big hits and their bullpen. CF Jasson Dominguez was involved in nearly all the offense, whether driving the runs in or scoring them. 2B Ben Cowles delivered for the Tarpons with a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth.

1B Anthony Garcia put the Tarpons on the board immediately with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning. It was a grown man’s blast off the bat of Garcia, his team-leading eighth home run of the season. Dominguez came around to score after drawing a walk the previous at-bat and the Tarpons found themselves on top, 2-0.

The lead was short lived.

RHP Tyrone Yulie drew the start for the Tarpons, looking to build on last week’s solid performance against St. Lucie. Unfortunately for Yulie, the Tigers had other plans and jumped on the young right-hander for five runs in the top of the second inning.

Lakeland’s offensive barrage began with lead-off man Daneurys De La Cruz, who roped a double that split the gap in right center field. Mike Rothenberg reached on an error by Garcia at first base, scoring De La Cruz easily. Justice Bigbie beat out an infield single, followed by Kingston Liniak who tied the game with a chopper back up the middle. Two on, two out – Manuel Sequera cleared the bases with a double over the head of LF Grant Richardson to give Lakeland the lead. Sequera would score on a wild pitch that skipped past C Antonio Gomez and the Flying Tigers ended the frame up 5-2.

Tampa struck right back in the bottom of the third with back-to-back jacks off Lakeland starter Garrett Burhenn. With two outs, Dominguez pulverized the 0-2 offering into the right field seats. Gomez followed suit, depositing his first home run of the season to opposite field to cut the deficit to one run.

Manager Rachel Balkovec turned to RHP Kevin Milam (4-3) to keep the game close in the top of the fifth. Yulie’s night would come to an end after throwing 4.0 innings where he allowed five runs (one earned) over four hits and three walks. He also finished the game with four strikeouts.

Milam was successful in his efforts, setting up the Tarpons for their run in the bottom of the sixth.

Dominguez’ red-hot bat scorched a single down the right field line, followed by Gomez who was issued a free pass. With the pressure on, Lakeland reliever Erick Rodriguez (1-2) was able to set Garcia down on strikes while his battery mate erased Gomez off the bases with a classic “strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out”. 3B Marcos Cabrera was beaned in the back with a fastball and promptly responded by stealing second base.

With two out and two men in scoring position, Cowles laced a seeing-eye single to the left side of the infield to put Tampa in the drivers’ seat, 6-5.

The tables turned again, and the Tarpons refused to look back.

In the bottom of the eighth, Cowles added some unorthodox insurance. RJ Petit walked the bases loaded full of Tarps’ and surrendered a run by drilling Cowles in the wrist with a pitch.

Dominguez crossed the plate for the FOURTH time, ending the night a perfect 2-for-2 (HR, 4R, 2RBI, 2BB).

Strikeout machine RHP Jack Neely was tasked with closing the door and did just that – striking out three in a row after a lead-off walk to secure the victory and his fourth save of the year.

The Tarpons and Flying Tigers return to action Wednesday afternoon for a double header. RHP Yon Castro will toe the rubber in Game 1 with the first pitch scheduled at 4:00 EST. RHP Richard Fitts gets the ball in Game 2 for the Tarpons.