Late Rally Sparks Tampa Comeback in 5-2 Win
Published on August 23, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Yankees News Release
Tampa - Down by two runs late in the game, the Tampa Yankees (33-28) rallied for five unanswered runs to win 5-2 in a comeback victory over the Dunedin Blue Jays (29-32) on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
The Yankee bats woke up as soon as Blue Jay starter Matt Boyd left the game. Boyd dominated Tampa by scattering two hits and a walk over six shutout frames, striking out eight.
Leading 2-0 in the seventh, Dunedin turned to LHP Griffin Murphy. With one out, Mike Ford reached on an infield single with a high bouncer towards second base. Ericson Leonora then chased home Ford with an RBI double into left-center. Trent Garrison followed with a walk before being erased on a fielder's choice by Reymond Nunez. Mark Payton then hit a two-out double into the corner in right, driving in the tying run.
RHP Danny Barnes (0-5) recorded the final out in the seventh before returning for the eighth for the Blue Jays. Eric Jagielo worked a leadoff walk and advanced to third as Aaron Judge crushed a double towards right-center. Dunedin brought the infield in and Jose Rosario split the middle with a go-ahead two-run single. Rosario then scored as Emilio Guerrero dropped a fly ball off the bat of Ford in center field.
RHP Taylor Garrison got the start for Tampa and pitched a season-high five innings. The lone mistake given up by the righty came in the fourth as Dwight Smith Jr. hit a solo home run to break a scoreless tie. Garrison yielded one run on four hits, striking out five while not issuing a walk.
Dunedin scored its second run off LHP Conner Kendrick in the sixth. With runners on the corners, Shane Opitz hit a two-out single to center to give the Blue Jays a 2-0 lead. Kendrick (5-8) bounced back by retiring the next seven batters consecutively. The southpaw allowed one run on one hit and two walks in three innings, striking out a pair.
RHP Cesar Vargas earned his ninth save of the season for Tampa, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.
Ford went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Rosario collected two RBI, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.
The series continues on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. when LHP Miguel Sulbaran (3-4, 3.52 ERA) takes the hill for Tampa. RHP Jesse Hernandez (6-9, 4.97 ERA) is scheduled to counter for Dunedin.
Saturday is Fan Appreciation Night, thanks to Morgan Exteriors, Inc. The first 600 fans in attendance will receive a Tampa Yankees David Robertson Bobble Head. Fans will also have chances to win prizes every inning. A fireworks show will begin soon after the end of the game.
Friends and Family Night will also take place, sponsored by Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo. For just $38, a family of four can enjoy a four-pack of reserved tickets, hot dogs, chips sodas and Tampa Yankees caps as well as two passes to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo. Prior to the game, kids are welcome to run the bases from 5-5:15 p.m. and receive player autographs on the concourse from 5:10-5:30 p.m.
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- Late Rally Sparks Tampa Comeback in 5-2 Win - Tampa Yankees
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