Garcia's Blast Lifts Tarpons in Rainy Rubber Game, 6-5
TAMPA, Fla. - Dermis Garcia delivered a go-ahead home run through rainfall in the eighth inning and the Tampa Tarpons (12-15) claimed a 6-5 win in the rubber-game over the Charlotte Stone Crabs (12-15) on Thursday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.After a 32-mintue rain delay, RHP Miguel Yajure took
TAMPA, Fla. -
After a 32-mintue rain delay, RHP
Andújar (2-for-2, HR, 2RBI, R) played four errorless innings at third base and lined a single in the fourth before leaving a pinch-runner. After going 0-for-7 to begin his rehab assignment, the 24-year-old hit safely in each of his last three at-bats and is expected to rejoin the New York Yankees in the Bronx this weekend.
Yajure struck out two batters in a scoreless second, but the rain got heavier in the third, and Charlotte rallied.
The next three Stone Crabs delivered RBI hits, including a triple by
Shaffer retired eight-straight batters before Andújar's leadoff single in the fourth. Garcia reached on a fielder's choice and, one out later, advanced to third on a single to left by
Yajure stranded two runners in the fourth, struck out the side in the fifth and got a double-play to face the minimum in the sixth, completing six innings for the third time in five starts. The 21-year-old tallied a season-high seven strikeouts while yielding five runs (four earned) on eight hits, one walk and a hit-batter, throwing 61 of 87 pitches for strikes.
Shaffer ended his outing after tossing a 1-2-3 fifth. The 22-year-old allowed a season-high five runs (two earned) on five hits in five innings, walking none while striking out three on 77 pitches (59 strikes).
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Garcia (1-for-4, HR, RBI, 2R) tallied his seventh homer and his league-leading 25th RBI while extending his on-base streak to 16 games. Castillo (1-for-4, R) extended his hitting streak to 16 games and is batting .328 (20-for-61) in that span. The game featured eight errors - four from each team.
Up next, the Tarpons travel to Kissimmee to take on the Florida Fire Frogs in a weekend series at Osceola County Stadium. LHP