Thompson-Williams Homers in 5-3 Loss

TAMPA, Fla. -- A three-run homer in the ninth by Dom Thompson-Williams helped Tampa (24-20) avoid a shutout, but the Charlotte Stone Crabs held on to win the rubber game, 5-3, on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Charlotte (21-23) broke a scoreless tie in the fourth without the need of a hit when Kevin Padlo drew a two-out walk, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch.
That was the only run allowed by right-hander Will Carter in his first game back with Tampa. Carter joined the Tarpons from Double-A Trenton on Monday.
Carter (L, 0-1) made a quality start, yielding one unearned run on four hits in six innings. The 25-year-old allowed a hit-batter, walked three and tallied a season-high six strikeouts while throwing 58 of 100 pitches for strikes.
The Stone Crabs rallied for three runs off LHP Justin Kamplain in the seventh. An error and a single put the first two batters aboard and, one out later, Jesús Sánchez lined an RBI double into left-center. Nathaniel Lowe followed with a two-run single into center, giving Charlotte a 4-0 lead.
Stone Crabs' starter Brandon Lawson faced two batters over the minimum while holding the Tarpons scoreless through the seventh. The right-hander left after yielding a walk and a single to begin the eighth.
Spencer Jones (SV, 3) entered in relief and struck out Nathaniel Coronado before getting Timmy Robinson to ground into an inning ending 6-4-3 double play.
Charlotte added a run off RHP Hobie Harris in the ninth when Sanchez singled and scored on a two-out double by Brendan McKay.
Brandon Wagner lined a leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth and, two outs later, Alexander Palma reached on a hit-by-pitch. Thompson-Williams then lined a ball into the Outfield Bar in right, putting Tampa on the board. Jones got Hoy Jun Park to fly out to right to end the game.
Lawson (W, 2-4) tossed a career-best seven scoreless innings, scattering four hits and two walks while tallying a season-high seven strikeouts. The 23-year-old threw 61 of 89 pitches for strikes.
Park (2-for-3, BB) extended his hitting streak to six games, batting .450 (9-for-20) in that span. Thompson-Williams (1-for-4, HR, 3RBI, R) has 2HR and 5RBI in three games since joining the Tarpons. RHP Paul Young logged a perfect eighth, striking out a pair.
Tampa begins a four-game series with the Florida Fire Frogs at Osceola County Stadium on Thursday a 6:31 p.m. RHP Nick Nelson (1-1, 3.46) will get the start for Tampa as Florida sends LHP Tucker Davidson (2-4, 6.62) to the mound. Live audio of the entire series can be heard on the Florida Fire Frogs Radio Network.
The Tarpons return home to open a five-game series with the Lakeland Flying Tigers, starting with a doubleheader on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. On "Tasty Tuesday," fans can enjoy a $24 all-you-can-eat menu from 6:00-8:00 p.m., including hot dogs, chicken tenders, nachos, fries, popcorn and fountain soda.