Not all Roses, Tarpons drop series finale to Blue Jays
Published on April 14, 2024 under Florida State League (FSL)
Tampa Tarpons News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Tarpons (2-7) lost the final game of the six-game set against the Dunedin Blue Jays (7-2) on Sunday afternoon at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 11-4. Tampa's offense could not sustain Dunedin's firepower, as they dropped their fifth game of the series. LHP Brady Rose (4.2IP, 1BB, 5K, HBP) was called up Sunday and made an immediate impact in his first appearance for Tampa, tossing 4.2 no-hit innings out of the bullpen.
RHP Josh Grosz (2.1IP, 5H, 6ER, 3BB, 5K, WP) pitched a clean two innings to open the game before unraveling in the third. Grosz recorded four straight strikeouts spanning over the first two innings. In the third, Dunedin put up a six spot to knock Grosz out of the game. Grosz used a sinker-slider combo, recording a 50% whiff rate on his slider.
After being called up from the FCL before the game, Rose relived Grosz with one out in the third and shut down Dunedin's lineup. Rose racked up five strikeouts in his relief stint. The southpaw used a four-pitch mix, keeping Dunedin's batters off balance. Of Rose's 19 sliders, only one was put in play and had an exit velocity of 79.9 MPH.
The first hit of the ballgame came in the top of the third when Alexis Hernandez dropped a single into shallow right field. Dunedin struck first when Bryce Arnold lined a double under the sliding glove of LF Tayler Aguilar, which brought Hernandez home. After the double, Tucker Toman singled and stole second base. Arjun Nimmala worked a walk, loading the bases for the Blue Jays. A wild pitch scored Arnold while advancing both Toman and Nimala. Another walk to Yhoangel Aponte loaded the bases. Manuel Beltre singled to bring home two runs and grow Dunedin's lead to four. Nicholas Deschamps added to the nightmare inning, singling in two more runs.
SS Roderick Arias opened the fourth with a walk. He swiped his first bag of the year and came around to score when 1B Coby Morales lined a 99.2 MPH single to center field.
2B Enmanuel Tejeda singled sharply to begin the fifth. After advancing 90 feet on an errant pickoff attempt and a walk to 3B Dylan Jasso, Morales moved both runners up a base with a groundout. CF Willy Montero brought both runners with a line-drive single to right field.
Beltre started the eighth with a single, and newly-entered Ricardo Balogh walked in his first at-bat. Edward Duran laced a double just inside the third base line to score Beltre. The Blue Jays added two more runs on a two-out single from Bryce Arnold.
In the ninth, the Blue Jays added two more runs to their tally. Tampa turned to two position players, Dayro Perez and Brenny Escanio, to record the last three outs. The Tarpons scored one run in their half of the ninth on a single from C Manuel Palencia.
After a day off on Monday, the Tarpons will travel to Port St. Lucie to take on the Mets on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m.
Florida State League Stories from April 14, 2024
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