Gregorius Homers in 5-1 Loss to Clearwater
April 25, 2017 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Yankees News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - Didi Gregorius gave the Tampa Yankees (8-11) and early lead with a first inning home run, but the Clearwater Threshers (13-6) scored four late runs to take the series-opener, 5-1, on Tuesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Gregorius started at shortstop and batted second in his fourth rehab game with Tampa. In his first at-bat, the 27-year-old hammered an 0-1 pitch on top of the Outfield Bar in right field for a solo home run.
Albert Abreu made his Tampa debut after being promoted from Single-A Charleston on Sunday. The right-hander held the Threshers in check for most of his season-high seven innings of work.
Clearwater tied the game in the second. Deivi Grullon hit a one-out single and advanced to second on a groundout by Grenny Cumana. Zach Coppola drove in the tying run with a two-out RBI single.
Seranthony Dominguez made the start for Clearwater and held the T-Yanks to one earned run on three hits in six innings, walking two while striking out five and throwing 57 of 82 pitches for strikes.
Abreu retired the next eight batters before working around an infield single and a walk in the fifth. After facing the minimum in the sixth, Abreu wiggled out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh by getting Herlis Rodriguez to ground out.
The Threshers claimed the lead with a rally off RHP Hobie Harris (L, 1-2) in the eighth. Damek Tomscha, Wilson Garcia, Jose Pujols and Grullon tallied four consecutive hits and scored three runs, with the help of a passed ball. The inning ended when second baseman Nick Solak made a diving catch on a line drive by Emmanuel Marrero and doubled Grullon off at second base.
Clearwater added its final run in the ninth when Mark Laird walked and later scored on a single by Tomscha. RHP Jose Pena entered and retired the final two batters of the inning, stranding the bases loaded.
LHP Austin Davis (W, 2-0) earned the win in relief for the Threshers, yielding a hit and striking out one in a pair of shutout frames. RHP Luke Leftwich allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth.
Abreu tallied a season-high seven innings pitched in a no-decision. The 21-year-old allowed one earned run on seven hits, walking two while striking out four and throwing 69 of 96 pitches for strikes.
Gregorius (2-for-3, HR, RBI, R) is now batting .429 (6-for-14) in four rehab games with Tampa. Netherlands native is returning after suffering a strained right shoulder while playing in the World Baseball Classic.
Solak (2-for-3) also had a multi-hit game and has now reached base safely in 12 of his last 13 games.
The series continues on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. when RHP Domingo Acevedo (0-2, 5.51 ERA) makes the start for Tampa against RHP Jose Taveras (2-0, 1.08 ERA) for Clearwater. As part of Wine Wednesday, fans can enjoy half priced wine from 6:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, call (813) 673-3055 or visit www.tybaseball.com .
Florida State League Stories from April 25, 2017
- Jupiter Hammers Daytona, 8-3, Tuesday - Daytona Tortugas
- Gregorius Homers in 5-1 Loss to Clearwater - Tampa Yankees
- Tomscha, Coppola Lead Threshers Past Yankees - Clearwater Threshers
- Flying Tigers Pull Away Late for 9-5 Win over Mets - St. Lucie Mets
- Third Miracle Homestand Headlined by Friday - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
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