Tampa Tarpons Game Notes: at Dunedin
Published on July 19, 2018 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Tarpons News Release
7/19 Tampa at Dunedin - Game 1 (of three) - Dunedin Stadium (Dunedin, FL) - 6:30 p.m.
Pitching Matchup: RHP Luis Rijo (0-0, -.--) vs. RHP Maverik Buffo (2-0, 1.38) Live Audio: TuneIn Radio (Tampa Tarpons Broadcast Network)
LAST NIGHT: Tampa's offense woke up and scored 10 runs on 16 hits to snap a five-game losing streak and salvage a 10-3 win in the series-finale at Charlotte Sports Park on Wednesday night...Taking two-of-three in the final meeting, the Stone Crabs win the season-series, 7-6...Rashad Crawford (4-for-4, 2B, BB, RBI, 2R) paced the offense, reaching base five times while logging his first four-hit game since 6/1/16...Brandon Wagner (1-for-4, HR, BB, 3RBI, R) clubbed his 19th homer...Ben Ruta (3-for-5, 2RBI, R, CS), Angel Aguilar (2-for-5, 2B, RBI, R) and Ricky Surum (2-for-5, 2RBI, R) also had multi-hit games...RHP Adonis Rosa (W, 10-3) logged a quality start (6.0IP, 9H, 3ER, 2BB, 5K, 99P/61S)...RHP Kaleb Ort (2.0IP, 2BB, 4K, WP) and RHP Andrew Schwaab (1.0IP, 1BB) each had scoreless/hitless outings.
BRANDON'S BOMBS: After smashing his 19th homer on Wednesday, Brandon Wagner is now tied for the Florida State League lead in home runs with Daytona's Ibandel Isabel. Wagner leads all Yankees minor leaguers in homers and RBI (54).
AGUILAR HEATING UP: By tallying two more hits on Wednesday, Angel Aguilar has now hit safely in six-straight games. The 23-year-old has climbed back over the Mendoza line by batting .333 (8-for-24) with 5RBI over his last six games.
10-WIN CLUB: RHP Adonis Rosa became the second pitcher to reach 10 wins in the Florida State League on Wednesday, joining Daytona RHP Scott Moss (10-3). Also of note, Rosa is now 8-0 with a 2.35 ERA in 11 road games (nine starts).
FLORIAL RETURNS: Estevan Florial began a rehab assignment in the Gulf Coast League on 7/5. On Tuesday, the 20-year-old played in his final reab game, going 4-for-4 (3B, 2B, R) and, for the second-straight game played CF for all nine innings. Florial is hit .548 (17-for-31) with 10R, 3HR, 1 3B, 3 2B's, 4BB, 8RBI and 5B in nine rehab games. The Dominican Republic native was placed on the DL on May 18th after requiring hamate surgery in his right hand. Florial returned to the Tarpons from his assignment and has been activated off the DL.
VS. DUNEDIN: Tonight will be the 13th of 15 games scheduled between the Tampa Tarpons and Dunedin Blue Jays. The season-series is currently tied, 6-6. Tampa is 3-2 at Dunedin Stadium. The Blue Jays have won the last four meetings, including a three-game sweep in Tampa on 7/13-15.
STRIKEOUT KINGS: Nick Nelson (5K), Trevor Lane (3K), Matt Frawley (2K) and Andrew Schwaab (1K) combined for 11 strikeouts on Tuesday. Tampa pitchers have tallied double-digit strikeouts in 44 games this season, with the Tarpons going 25-19 in such games. Tampa, by far, leads the Florida State League in strikeouts, totaling 912K entering today. That is 93K more than the team ranked second (Clearwater - 819K). Tampa is averaging 9.6 K-per-game and is on pace for 1,344K, which would crush its own FSL single-season strikeout record set last season with 1,215K.
BABY BOMBERS: The Tarpons currently lead the league with 79 home runs, which is eight more than second on the list (Bradenton- 71HR).
DIEHL TO DOUBLE-A: LHP Phillip Diehl's final performance with Tampa led to a promotion. On Tuesday, the 23-year-old struck out five of the six batters he faced in a pair of perfect innings. Diehl leaves the Florida State League ranking 1st in strikeouts (79K), 1st in K/9.0IP (14.61), 1st in fewest baserunners/9.0IP (9.25) and tied for 2nd in holds (6). The Ohio native joined Double-A Trenton on Friday after going 2-2 with 3 saves and a 3.14 ERA (48.2IP, 37H, 20R/17ER, 12BB, 79K, 2HR, 1HB) in 25 relief outings with the Tarpons.
SENSLEY'S SOLOS: On Friday, Steven Sensley clubbed his 13th home run (third with Tampa). All 13 have been solo home runs.
FOR STARTERS: RHP Luis Rijo (0-0, -.--) will make his Tarpons debut. Last time out, made a quality start and earned the win for Rookie-level Pulaski vs. Bristol on 7/13 (6.0IP, 5H, 1ER, 1BB, 8K, HB, WP, 86P/62S)...Began the season with Rookie-level Pulaski, going 3-1 with a 2.67 ERA (27.0IP, 28H, 11R/8ER, 1BB, 26K, 1HB) in five games (three starts)...Joined High-A Tampa on 7/19/18
2017: Went 4-3 with one complete game and a 3.50 ERA (54.0IP, 51H, 23R/21ER, 9BB, 55K, 2HR) in 11 appearances (seven starts) for the GCL Yankees East...tossed a 7.0-inning, two-hit, complete-game shutout (2BB, 5K, 1HB) on 8/21 vs. GCL Yankees West.
Personal: 19-years-old, 5-11, 165 - Valencia, Venezuela...Signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on 7/2/15.
Florida State League Stories from July 19, 2018
- Stephenson's Career Night Helps Tugas Snap Slide - Daytona Tortugas
- Warmoth Knocks 2 Hits in Return, But Jays Fall 4-2 - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Cabral Knocks in Four in 7-5 Loss - Clearwater Threshers
- James' Bat Provides the Offense in Series-Opening Victory - Florida Fire Frogs
- Stone Crabs Drop Opener to the Hammerheads 10-4 - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Tampa Tarpons and BUSH's Beans Teaming up against Hunger - Tampa Tarpons
- Whitefield Plays Hero As Streak Reaches Four - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Aguilar, Crawford Back Rijo in 4-2 Win at Dunedin - Tampa Tarpons
- Young Homer Propels Cardinals to 3-1 Win over Mets - St. Lucie Mets
- Florida Fire Frogs Game Notes: July 19, 2018 - Florida Fire Frogs
- Tampa Tarpons Game Notes: at Dunedin - Tampa Tarpons
- Tampa Tarpons and BUSH's Beans Are Teaming up against Hunger - Tampa Tarpons
- Daytona Swept out of Clearwater - Daytona Tortugas
- Fire Frogs Close out Series with Win over Blue Jays - Florida Fire Frogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
