Castillo Leads Tampa with Career-High 5 RBI
Published on June 9, 2018 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Tarpons News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - Diego Castillo led the Tarpons with a career-high 5RBI as Tampa ran away with an 11-2 victory over the Bradenton Marauders to even the series on Saturday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Bradenton (31-26) opened the scoring without the need of a hit in the first inning. Jared Oliva reached on a hit-by-pitch, stole second, tagged to third on a fly out by Mitchell Tolman and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jung Ho Kang.
It would be the only run allowed by Tampa (33-29) starter Garrett Whitlock (W, 2-0). The right-hander scattered five hits, one walk and a hit-batter in five innings, tallying three strikeouts while throwing 53 of 90 pitches for strikes. The 21-year-old now owns a 0.96 ERA after four starts with the Tarpons.
Castillo was the only Tampa batter to reach base in the first four innings against RHP Luis Escobar, drawing a walk in the first before legging out an infield single in the fourth.
The Tarpons broke through when Escobar walked the base loaded to begin the bottom of the fifth. After a fielder's choice and a groundout failed to score any runs, Castillo delivered a two-out, bases-clearing double into the gap in left-center, giving Tampa a 3-1 lead.
Escobar (L, 4-4) allowed three earned runs on two hits and four walks in five innings, striking out seven while throwing 47 of 89 pitches for strikes. It was the Columbia native's second loss to Tampa this season.
Castillo struck again in the seventh against LHP Jordan Jess. Ryan Lidge singled and David Metzgar doubled, putting runners at second and third. One out later, Castillo singled into center, scoring both runners. Castillo would advance to second on a base hit by Alexander Palma before scoring on a single by Isiah Gilliam .
RHP Hobie Harris (H, 1) tallied four strikeouts while retiring the first seven batters he faced in relief of Whitlock. A solo homer run by Tolman broke the streak with one out in the eighth. Kang followed with a double and, one out later, RHP Matt Wivinis entered. After allowing a walk, Wivinis struck out Adrian Valerio to end the inning.
Tampa rallied for five more runs while batting around in the bottom of the eighth against RHP Angel German.
Dom Thompson-Williams greeted the reliever with a leadoff home run to right. One out later, Metzgar walked and Ben Ruta reached on an error. A walk by Castillo loaded the bases and Palma followed with a two-run single to left. A wild pitch then plated Castillo and, after a walk to Brandon Wagner , Gilliam added a second RBI single.
Wivinis struck out the side in a perfect ninth to finish the game.
Castillo (3-for-3, 2B, 2BB, 5RBI, 2R, SB) logged his 14th multi-hit game. Gilliam (3-for-5, 2RBI) leads all Yankees minor leaguers with 36RBI. Thompson-Williams (1-for-4, HR, BB, RBI, 2R) has a six-game RBI streak. Palma (2-for-5, 2RBI, R) ranks seventh in the Florida State League with a batting average of .315.
The series will conclude with the rubber game on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. On "Kids Funday Sunday," kids ages 14-and-under can enjoy half-off kids meals and run the bases after the game. RHP Nick Green (4-2, 2.33) is scheduled to start against RHP Mike Wallace (3-1, 5.10). Live play-by-play audio will be available on the Tarpons Radio Network.
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