FSL1 Daytona Tortugas

Cubs Offensive Woes Continue At Home

Published on August 11, 2009 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Daytona Tortugas News Release


DAYTONA - The Tampa Yankees (31-11) handed the Daytona Cubs (18-25) a sixth consecutive loss, as they defeated the Cubs in the first of a three game series, 8-3.

No one could dent the scoreboard in the first three innings, but Tampa got on top in the fourth. Designated hitter Walter Ibarra led off with a perfect bunt for a single. On the play, catcher Mark Reed fielded the ball and threw it past first and into the Yankees bullpen, which allowed Ibarra to advance all the way to third base.

After Daniel Brewer was hit by a pitch, second baseman David Adams singled through the left side to bring in Ibarra. Catcher Austin Romine, the league leader in RBI, followed with a single to bring in Brewer for a 2-0 lead. The Yankees were not done though as Kevin Smith doubled to the wall in right field to extend the lead to three runs.

Cubs starter Ryan Searle (6-10) followed with a strike out of Brandon Laird and was then lifted for reliever Chris Siegfried. The lefty came in and struck out Seth Fortenberry, but a two-out, Josh Vitters error allowed two more runs to come in and when all was said and done in the top of the fifth inning, the Yankees held a 5-0 lead.

Daytona got one back in the bottom of the fifth inning off reliever Brad Rulon (3-0). Right fielder Brandon Guyer singled with two outs and then stole second base to get in scoring position. Center fielder Tony Campana brought him in with a single down the left field line.

Tampa capitalized on another Cubs miscue in the sixth. Brewer hit a one out single to left field and stole second base as Siegfried struck out Adams. The Cubs elected to give Romine a free pass to first base which put two runners on for the Yankees. On a double steal attempt by Brewer and Romine, Mark Reed's throw to third base went into left field and Brewer came home to score on the error.

Tampa added to their lead in the seventh. Off new Cubs reliever Billy Muldowny, who joined Daytona after rehabbing an injury in Arizona, Luis Nunez hit a home run over the left center field wall and gave Tampa a 7-1 lead.

Tampa would score one in the ninth and take an 8-1 lead heading into the bottom half of the inning.

The Cubs did their best to rally in the ninth off Yankees closer Jonathan Hovis. Jake Opitz led off the inning with a double to right field, his second of the game. With one out, Jonathan Wyatt hit his second home run of the year over the right field fence and made it a 8-3 game. Hovis shut down the Cubs after the Wyatt home run to seal the victory for the Yankees.

The Cubs and Yankees will square off tomorrow at "The Jack" with the first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. The gates will open at 6:00 p.m. and it will be the second Bank Challenge of the year, as well as Halifax Health Wednesday where fans can enjoy one dollar ice cream treats.

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Florida State League Stories from August 11, 2009


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