Fire Frogs Take Wild One over Tarpons
Published on May 10, 2018 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Florida Fire Frogs News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - The Florida Fire Frogs and Tampa Tarpons went back-and-forth through the early goings on Thursday night, but Florida's offense erupted late in the series-opening, 10-6 victory at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Alejandro Salazar (2x4, R, RBI) lifted a sacrifice fly to right in the second inning, plating Garrison Schwartz (2x4, 2 R, RBI, BB) for the early 1-0 advantage. The Fire Frogs added two more runs in the third with RBI knocks from Taylor Murphy (1x4, R, 2B, RBI, BB) and Schwartz for the three-run lead.
Tampa (18-16) tied the game in the bottom half of the frame with an RBI groundout off the bat of big-league rehabber Greg Bird. After Tucker Davidson (1-4) walked billy McKinney to load the bases for the second time in the frame, Isiah Gilliam drove a two-run single to right to knot the game at three apiece.
Florida (14-20) pushed across a run the next inning with a sacrifice fly off the bat of Cristian Pache (1x4, R, RBI), but the lead was short-lived as Tampa scored three more times in the fourth to put the visitors in a two-run deficit.
The Fire Frogs pieced together a three-run fifth to leap back ahead of the home team. Brett Cumberland (1x4, BB) singled to lead off the inning, and made it to second when Nick Green (3-1) walked Schwartz. Cumberland would be picked off of second for the first out of the inning.
Salazar moved Schwartz to third with a single to the gap in right-center, but would be thrown out at second trying to stretch the play to a double. With the runner at third, Braxton Davidson (0x4, 2 R, BB) struck out swinging, but the third strike went through the legs of Keith Skinner behind the plate, allowing Schwartz to score to make the score 6-5.
Ray-Patrick Didder (2x4, 2 R, BB) placed down a bunt single to put two on for Kevin Josephina (1x4, RBI, BB), who lined a single to center, scoring Davidson to tie the game at six. Lucas Herbert smacked a single into right, bringing home Didder from second to give Florida its third lead of the night.
Herbert slugged his second home run in as many days in the seventh, a three-run shot over the wall in right to extend the lead to 10-6. The 2015 second-round draft pick has driven in five runs over the last two games for the Atlanta Braves Advanced-A affiliate.
Davidson earned his first win of the season for the Fire Frogs. The 22-year-old allowed all six runs on six hits, four walks and two strikeouts across five innings. Sean McLaughlin gave up one hit through his three innings of relief, and Mauricio Cabrera worked a scoreless ninth to wrap up the contest.
Florida goes for the series victory in game two of the three-game set against Tampa at George M. Steinbrenner Field. LHP Joey Wentz (1-1, 2.33) toes the rubber for the Fire Frogs in the middle game against RHP Nick Nelson (0-1, 9.00). First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m., with coverage starting at 6:15 p.m. on the Florida Fire Frogs Broadcasting Network.
The Fire Frogs return to Osceola County Stadium for a six-game homestand starting Monday, May 14, with four games against the Mets, and three games against the Clearwater Threshers.
For ticket and promotional information, please visit floridafirefrogs.com.
Florida State League Stories from May 10, 2018
- Tampa Drops Opener to Fire Frogs, 10-6 - Tampa Tarpons
- Miracle Squander Big Lead In 8-6 Loss - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Fire Frogs Take Wild One over Tarpons - Florida Fire Frogs
- Threshers Pitching K's 18 in Extra-Inning Loss - Clearwater Threshers
- 9TH Inning Rally Not Enough in Series Opening Loss - Jupiter Hammerheads
- Mets Earn 4-3 Walk-Off Win against Flying Tigers - St. Lucie Mets
- Florida Fire Frogs Game Notes: May 10, 2018 - Florida Fire Frogs
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