Tampa Suffers First Loss After Late Lakeland Rally

Tampa, Fla. - The Tampa Yankees saw a late 3-1 lead slip away when the Lakeland Flying Tigers scored seven times in the eighth to win their first game of the season, 8-3.

The Yankees got things started in the first inning.  After hitting a two-out single, Ben Gamel stole second base. Gary Sanchez then delivered an RBI single down the right field line to give Tampa a 1-0 lead.

Tampa would add another run in the third inning when Gamel hit a ground-rule double to drive in Mason Williams.

Yankees starting pitcher Shane Greene (0-0) pitched five innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out eight.

The teams traded runs in the middle innings. Lakeland's Aaron Westlake drove in Dean Green with an RBI groundout in the fourth inning. The Yankees' Zachary Wilson scored on a sacrifice fly by Ali Castillo in the sixth inning.

In the top of the eighth, momentum began to swing Lakeland's way. The Flying Tigers started the inning with back-to-back walks by Chad Wright and Eugenio Suarez. Tampa brought in RHP Zachary Arneson to relieve RHP Joel De La Cruz, who had pitched a perfect sixth and seventh. Arneson allowed three straight singles followed by a walk. That gave Lakeland a 5-3 lead.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth, Yankees reliever Sean Black allowed a single to right field by Wright. The ball got behind right fielder Eduardo Sosa and allowed the bases to be cleared while Wright reached third base. That gave the Flying Tigers an 8-3 advantage.

The series will wrap up on Sunday when the Yankees (2-1) travel to Lakeland for a 1 p.m. game against the Flying Tigers (1-2). RHP Mikey O'Brien is scheduled to make the start for Tampa.