Tampa Drops Pitcher's Duel in Lakeland, 1-0
Published on May 18, 2018 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Tarpons News Release
LAKELAND, Fla. -- Garrett Whitlock impressed in his Tarpons debut, but Alex Faedo and the Flying Tigers won the pitcher's duel, 1-0, in a rain-shortened game on Friday night at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. The game was called official in the middle of the eighth due to continuous rainfall and unplayable conditions.
Tampa (23-18) was held to a season-low two hits while suffering its fourth shutout loss of the campaign.
Whitlock made his first start since being promoted from Single-A Charleston. The 6'5 right-hander retired 12 of the first 14 batters he faced before allowing a leadoff double in the fifth. Two outs later, Whitlock walked a batter before getting a strikeout to end the inning.
Faedo retired the first 14 batters he faced not named Hoy Jun Park. Park led off the game with a single and singled again with two outs in the third. Timmy Robinson drew a leadoff walk in the seventh and later stole second. Angel Aguilar reached on a hit-by-pitch, but Faedo got a pair of strikeouts to work out of the inning.
Lakeland (19-20) put runners on the corners when Isaac Paredes and Austin Athmann hit back-to-back two-out singles in the sixth. Whitlock got Dylan Burdeaux to fly out to end the threat.
Whitlock took a no-decision after scattering five hits and a walk in six shutout frames. The 22-year-old tallied eight strikeouts and threw 58 of 89 pitches for strikes.
Zac Shepherd drew a leadoff walk in the seventh against RHP Paul Young (L, 0-1). A wild pitch sent the runner to second and, two outs later, Cam Gibson blasted an RBI double into the left field corner, breaking the scoreless tie.
RHP Drew Carlton (SV, 2) tallied a pair of strikeouts in a perfect eighth before the tarp was rolled onto the field. After 35 minutes, the game was called final.
Faedo (W, 1-3) earned his first professional win, logging a career-best seven scoreless innings. The righty held the Tarpons to two hits, one walk and one hit-batter while striking out five and threw 62 of 90 pitches for strikes.
Park (2-for-3, CS) tallied his fifth multi-hit game of the season.
The series continues on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. when RHP Albert Abreu (1-0, 2.13) makes the start against LHP Gregory Soto (1-0, 5.20). Live play-by-play audio will be available on the Tarpons Radio Network.
Florida State League Stories from May 18, 2018
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- Tampa Drops Pitcher's Duel in Lakeland, 1-0 - Tampa Tarpons
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- Florida Shuts out Clearwater on Friday Night - Florida Fire Frogs
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