3-2 Final as Tampa Wins 5th Straight
Published on May 17, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Yankees News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Yankees (21-20) got back over .500 after improving their winning streak to five games with a 3-2 final over the Palm Beach Cardinals (18-24) on Saturday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Following an 18-inning marathon on Friday, the T-Yanks took the win in regulation with an efficient two hour and 20 minute game.
LHP Conner Kendrick (1-1) earned his first win of the season after a solid five-inning performance. Kendrick allowed one run on four hits and two walks, tallying a season-high four strikeouts.
All three Tampa runs scored with two outs.
Cito Culver singled in the third and stole second. After a walk by Greg Bird, Eric Jagielo celebrated his 22nd birthday with an RBI single to right field, giving the Yankees a 1-0 lead.
Palm Beach responded with a run in the fourth. Starlin Rodriguez led off with a double and advanced on a passed ball charged to Trent Garrison. A single by Nick Martini tied the game at 1-1.
Tampa answered with two runs in the home half of the fourth. With two outs, Garrison walked and advanced on an infield single by Claudio Custodio. Back-to-back RBI singles by Jake Cave and Culver gave the Yankees a 3-1 advantage.
The Cardinals tacked on one more run in the seventh against Tampa reliever Brett Gerritse. Alex Mejia reached on a ground-rule double down the right field line and later scored on a single by Luiz Perez.
Gerritse earned his first save of the season after pitching four innings of relief. The righty surrendered one run on three hits and two walks, striking out one.
RHP Silfredo Garcia (0-1) took the loss for Palm Beach in his high-A debut. Garcia allowed three runs on seven hits and four walks, striking out two.
Culver led the offense for Tampa, going 3-for-3 with a double, a walk and an RBI. The shortstop also stole a base and scored.
The Yankees will host the Cardinals on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. for game three at Steinbrenner Field. Southpaw Eric Wooten (2-2, 2.81 ERA) will take the hill for Tampa as the Cardinals counter with RHP Michael Mayers (2-4, 4.31 ERA).
Seniors eat free on Sunday home games with the Tampa Yankees. Fans ages 55 and over receive a coupon for a free scooter dog, small popcorn and a small soda, with the purchase of a $5 reserved ticket. Also, kids ages 14 and under receive free admission.
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