Bullpen Falters as T-Yanks Drop 5th Straight

July 10, 2014 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Yankees News Release


TAMPA, Fla.- The Tampa Yankees (10-9) failed to hold on to a late 5-0 lead as the Clearwater Threshers (9-10) scored all of their runs in the final two innings in a 6-5 final on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Yankee have now lost five straight games as the Threshers won their fourth in a row.

All nine batters came to the plate in a five-run ninth for Clearwater.

With Tampa leading 5-1, the Threshers placed runners on the corners against LHP Ramon Benjamin with one out. Art Charles delivered an RBI single to right field, cutting the lead to three. RHP Alex Smith (4-4) entered the game and Corey Bass greeted him with an RBI double down the right field line. Brian Pointer followed by cranking a three-run go-ahead home run into the Walgreens Deck in right field, giving Clearwater a 6-5 lead.

Miguel Sulbaran pitched a quality start for Tampa. The southpaw scattered two hits in seven shutout frames, striking out eight while not surrendering a walk.

Tampa faced Philadelphia Phillies LHP Cliff Lee as the former Cy Young Award winner continued his rehab assignment. Lee finished after four innings, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk, striking out four.

The Yankees tagged Lee for three runs in the fourth inning. Cito Culver hit a leadoff double and advanced to third on a passed ball. A single by Dante Bichette Jr gave Tampa the first lead of the game. Aaron Judge followed with a single and Angelo Gumbs doubled home Bichette. Judge then scored on a ground out by Matt Snyder, giving the Yankees a 3-0 lead.

Wes Wilson extended the Tampa lead with a two-out RBI single in the sixth against RHP Jeb Stefan. Back-to-back doubles by Greg Bird and Bichette in the seventh added the final run for the Yankees.

Harold Martinez scored the first run for Clearwater by homering off of Benjamin with two outs in the eighth.

Stefan (5-8) got the win for the Threshers after allowing two runs on six hits in four innings of work. The righty struck out five and did not allow a walk.

Bichette went 2-for-5 with two RBI and extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Judge scored two runs, going 2-for-4.

The series wraps up with a 7:00 start in Clearwater at Bright Hous Field on Thursday. RHP Rafael De Paula (4-5, 4.71 ERA) will take the hill for Tampa. The Threshers will counter with RHP Miguel Nunez (2-6, 6.22 ERA).

The next T-Yanks home game will be game three of a four-game set with the Bradenton Marauders on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. 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.



Florida State League Stories from July 10, 2014


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