FSL1 Dunedin Blue Jays

Blue Jays Come from Five Down to Beat Palm Beach

Published on April 16, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Dunedin Blue Jays News Release


DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays (5-4) erased a five run deficit Friday night against the Palm Beach Cardinals (7-2) and took the series opener 8-7. LF David Harris came home on a wild pitch by RHP Kyle Grana (L, 0-1) in the bottom of the tenth to give Dunedin the win.

In the wildest game of the season to date, LHP Matt Dermody (W, 1-0) tossed two scoreless frames to close out the game, including stranding a runner at third with one out by striking out a pair in the ninth.

The Jays started the scoring in the bottom of the first with a DH Jonathan Davis single. Palm Beach came back with a pair of runs in the third inning and one in the fourth off Jays' starter LHP Juliandry Higuera. Of the three runs plated against Higuera, only one went earned.

The Blue Jays had an opportunity to tie the game in the fourth when CF D.J. Davis roped a double to the right field wall with runners on first and second. The ball wedged between the dirt and padding, prompting RF Nick Thompson to throw his hands in the air calling for a ground rule double. The umpires did not make a ruling at first which led to Davis rounding the bases and touching home. After the play, field umpire Matt Snodgrass journeyed out to right field and determined the ball was indeed stuck. By rule, Davis was awarded a double, and 1B Ryan McBroom, who began at first base, was told to go back to third. The end result brought the Jays within a run, 3-2.

The Cardinals added four more runs in the sixth off RHP Tom Robson taking a 7-2 lead. The bottom of the sixth saw the Jays begin with runners at second and third with nobody out. 3B Jason Leblebijian hit a ground ball down the third base line that he believed ricocheted off his foot. Jonathan Davis raced home on contact as the ball was ruled fair. Davis was tagged out at home, and, with Leblebijian believing the ball was foul, C Chris Rivera completed the double play by throwing the ball to first.

With two outs, and after the inning was kept alive by a D.J. Davis walk and C Mike Reeves infield single, Harris provided a bases clearing triple to the right-centerfield gap, making it a 7-5 game. Leblebijian's two-out single plating SS Richard Urena in the seventh pulled the Jays within a run.

In the bottom of the eighth, Reeves began the inning by drawing a leadoff walk. With one out and RF Derrick Loveless at the plate, Reeves took off for second. The throw from the catcher Rivera was wide of the bag and trickled in center field. Reeves popped up and immediately headed for third, but CF Blake Drake was quick to back up the error. His throw from center, however, sailed into the seats behind third base allowing Reeves to score the tying run.

The two teams play game two Saturday night at 6:30 at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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Florida State League Stories from April 16, 2016


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