Comeback Falls Short for Tampa in 7-5 Final
May 5, 2016 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Yankees News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Yankees (16-11) brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth before the Clearwater Threshers (18-9) closed out a 7-5 win in front of a crowd of 7,424 on School Day at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Thursday afternoon.
Vicente Campos (3-2) took the loss in his fifth start of the season.nThe right-hander allowed six earned runs on nine hits in five innings, walking a pair while striking out three.
Clearwater tallied the first run with an RBI sacrifice fly by Cord Sandberg in the third. Zach Green walked and scored on a two-out, RBI double by Drew Stankiewicz in the fourth, giving the Threshers an early 2-0 lead.
Campos ran into bigger trouble in the fifth. Scott Kingrey hit a leadoff home run and Sandberg and Chace Numata followed with singles. A misplayed ball in right by Austin Aune allowed runners to reach second and third. Kyle Martin and Mitch Walding smacked back-to-back sacrifice flies to right. Green hit a two-out double and scored on the ensuing triple by Malquin Canelo, giving the Threshers a 6-0 lead.
The Yankees responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame off Clearwater starter Matt Imhof. Jake Skole singled and scored two batters later on a triple by Jorge Mateo. Following a walk by Mark Payton, Mateo scored on an infield single by Billy Fleming.
Imhof (3-1) tossed five innings for the win, holding Tampa to two earned runs on six hits. The southpaw walked four and struck out four.
Jordan Foley relieved Campos in the sixth and tossed two scoreless innings. The righty scattered two hits and a pair of walks while striking out three.
Tampa inched closer in the seventh against RHP Victor Arano. Francisco Diaz walked and Vicente Conde and Mateo singled, loading the bases. One out later, Fleming lined a two-run double to left, placing the tying runs at second and third. RHP Ulises Joaquin entered for Arano and retired Miguel Andujar and Abiatal Avelino, preserving a 6-4 lead for Clearwater.
The Threshers tacked on an insurance run in the eighth off RHP Philip Walby when Sandberg doubled and later scored as Martin reached on a fielder's choice.
Payton drew a two-out walk against RHP Jesen Therrien in the bottom of the ninth. Fleming pulled an RBI double into the left field corner, bringing Andujar up as the tying run. Andujar hit a fly ball to left and Stankiewicz made a diving catch, ending the game and giving Therrien his second save.
Mateo (4-for-5, 3B, RBI, R) hit his fourth triple and recorded his first four-hit game. Fleming (3-for-5, 2 2B, 4 RBI) tied a career-high with four RBI in a game. LHP Caleb Frare (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K) has started the season with 10 and two-third scoreless innings.
The series continues on Friday at 7:00 p.m. on Get a Plan Night, presented by The Florida Department of Emergency Management. LHP Ian Clarkin (2-2, 3.71 ERA) will get the start for the Yankees as RHP Ranfi Casimiro (3-1, 2.70 ERA) takes the hill for the Threshers.
Every Friday Tampa Yankees home game, for $15, fans can get a lower reserved ticket and all-you-can-eat chicken wings from 6:00pm-8:00pm. All fans can enjoy 1/2 price alcoholic drinks and regular soda from 6:00pm-8:00pm. **Ticket and food Special can ONLY be purchased at the George M. Steinbrenner Field Box Office.
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Florida State League Stories from May 5, 2016
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- Mets Handle Sluggish Miracle, 8-3 - St. Lucie Mets
- Mets Shred Miracle, 8-3, to Open Season Series - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Marauders Go 10 to Beat Charlotte 4-3 - Bradenton Marauders
- Cardinals Skid Continues - Palm Beach Cardinals
- Brandon Waddell Named Player of the Month - Bradenton Marauders
- Comeback Falls Short for Tampa in 7-5 Final - Tampa Yankees
- Numata, Canelo Collect 3 Hits in Win - Clearwater Threshers
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