FSL1 Tampa Tarpons

Errors Hurt Tarpons as Flying Tigers Complete Sweep

August 5, 2018 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Tarpons News Release


Matt McGarry of the Tampa Tarpons
Matt McGarry of the Tampa Tarpons
(Tampa Tarpons, Credit: Mark LoMoglio)

TAMPA, Fla. - A blinding sun allowed two runs in the second and a pair of errors led to three unearned runs in the sixth as the Lakeland Flying Tigers completed a three-game sweep of the Tampa Tarpons with a 5-3 win on Sunday afternoon at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

RHP Nick Green worked a scoreless first and got two quick outs in the second before walking A.J. Simcox. Austin Athmann followed with an automatic double as his line drive got caught under the tarp rolled up along the left field line.

Both scored when Zac Shepherd hit a towering pop up into shallow right field. Ben Ruta shielded his eyes from the sunlight, but could not locate the ball as it fell about 20 feet to his left, giving Shepherd a double and Lakeland (23-17, 59-54) a 2-0 lead.

Tampa (20-22, 55-57) answered by sending all nine batters to the plate against LHP Liarvis Breto in the third. Hoy Jun Park reached on a hit-by-pitch and, one out later, Dom Thompson-Williams doubled him to third. Isiah Gilliam followed with a single to left and Angel Aguilar added a sacrifice fly, tying the game at 2-2.

Steven Sensley kept the inning alive with a single to right, putting runners on the corners. Matt McGarry then reached on a misplay by Shepherd at second base, allowing Gilliam to score the go-ahead run. After a walk by Kellin Deglan, Breto struck out Daniel Barrios to strand the bases loaded.

Green retired eight of the next nine batters he faced before a one-out single by Derek Hill in the fifth. Hill stole second and, one out later, Danny Pinero walked, but Green stranded both by getting a groundout from Dylan Burdeaux.

Breto completed his outing with back-to-back strikeouts while stranding a leadoff walk by Park in the fourth. The 25-year-old allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits in four innings, walking three while striking out six on 80 pitches (48 strikes).

Jose Azocar lined a one-out single off Green in the sixth and Barrios misplayed a bouncer from Simcox, putting the go-ahead runs aboard. Athmann then reached on a wide throw by Park at shortstop, allowing Azocar to tie the game. Shepherd followed with an RBI double and Hill added a sacrifice fly before Green escaped.

Green (L, 6-5) allowed five runs (two earned) on seven hits in six innings, logging a quality start for the 12th time in 19 starts. The 23-year-old walked two, struck out five and threw 58 of 95 pitches for strikes.

LHP Eudis Idrogo (W, 2-3) retired the first seven batters he faced in relief of Breto. The 23-year-old scattered three singles and walked none while tallying seven strikeouts over five scoreless innings to earn the win.

LHP Justin Kamplain worked three scoreless frames in relief of Green, yielding two hits and one walk while striking out five in his second-straight scoreless outing.

Park (1-for-2, 2BB, HBP, R) reached base four times and leads the Florida State League in both walks (57) and OBP (.395). Thompson-Williams (2-for-5, 2B, R) and Deglan (1-for-3, BB) also reached base multiple times. Gilliam (1-for-4, RBI, R) is on a seven-game hitting steak and is now the active league-leader in RBI (62).

The home stand continues with a doubleheader against the Clearwater Threshers on Monday at 5:00 p.m. Game one will feature RHP Garrett Whitlock (4-3, 2.53) against RHP Mauricio Llovera (4-7, 4.40), followed by a matchup between RHP Deivi Garcia (0-0, 1.93) and LHP McKenzie Mills (1-5, 3.81). Live play-by-play audio will be available on the Tarpons Radio Network.

On "Dollar Dog Night," bring your dog to the game with the purchase of a $1 Dog Ticket. Fans can also enjoy $1 hot dogs all night long.





Images from this story

Tampa Tarpons pitcher Justin Kamplain
Tampa Tarpons pitcher Justin Kamplain

(Mark LoMoglio)
Matt McGarry of the Tampa Tarpons
Matt McGarry of the Tampa Tarpons

(Mark LoMoglio)
 



Florida State League Stories from August 5, 2018


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