Nelson Fires Seven Scoreless in 4-1 Win
Published on June 6, 2018 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Tarpons News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - Nick Nelson tossed seven shutout innings while Ryan Lidge and Brandon Wagner combined to drive in all four Tampa runs as the Tarpons defeated the St. Lucie Mets, 4-1, to take a 2-1 series lead on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Nelson worked around a double and a walk in the first. St. Lucie (23-30) then loaded the bases with a walk and a pair of singles with one out in the third, but Nelson got a 4-6-3 double play off the bat of Gene Cone to escape the jam.
Tampa (31-28) used a two-out rally to score in the second. Mandy Alvarez drew a two-out walk and scored when Lidge pulled a ball into the short porch in right field for his first career home run.
St. Lucie starter Michael Gibbons got two quick outs in the third, but the Tarpons rallied again. Alexander Palma worked a free pass and advanced to third on a base hit by Isiah Gilliam . Wagner followed by wrapping a double into the right field corner, scoring Palma for a 3-0 lead.
Gibbons (L, 0-3) issued a career-high five walks and gave up his first home run of the season. The righty allowed three earned runs on four hits in five innings, striking out two while throwing 45 of 80 pitches for strikes.
Beginning with Cone's double play in the second, Nelson (W, 2-2) retired the final 16 batters he faced. The right-hander held St. Lucie to three hits and two walks in seven scoreless frames, striking out three while throwing 62 of 95 pitches for strikes.
Wagner greeted reliever Stephen Nogosek with a leadoff home run off the right-field foul pole in the sixth. It was Wagner's 10th home run and second in as many nights.
The Mets spoiled Tampa's shutout bid in the ninth, scoring off LHP Phillip Diehl . Michael Paez, Desmond Lindsay and Dash Winningham strung together three singles, bringing the tying run to the plate. Diehl got a strikeout and a groundout to end the game.
Diego Castillo (1-for-3, BB, SB) extended his hitting streak to five games. Wagner (2-for-3, HR, 2B, BB, 2RBI, R) reached base three times.
The series wraps up with RHP Adonis Rosa (5-1, 3.77) making the start against RHP Gabriel Llanes (2-5, 5.27) on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Live play-by-play audio will be available on the Tarpons Radio Network.
On "Taco Thursday," fans can enjoy the all-you-can-eat Taco and Nacho bar for $18, $5 house Margaritas, and $4 Coronas from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Florida State League Stories from June 6, 2018
- Threshers Take Series Lead with 6-2 Win - Clearwater Threshers
- Grand Slam Dooms Miracle In Extras - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Nelson Fires Seven Scoreless in 4-1 Win - Tampa Tarpons
- Stone Crabs Pitch Way to 3-1 Win - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Michel Comes up Clutch in Win over Bradenton - Florida Fire Frogs
- Tarpons Hang on to Beat Mets - St. Lucie Mets
- Florida Fire Frogs Game Notes: June 6, 2018 - Florida Fire Frogs
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