Offense Goes Quiet After Lightning Delay in 8-4 Loss
August 3, 2018 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Tarpons News Release
Dom Thompson-Williams of the Tampa Tarpons
(Tampa Tarpons, Credit: Mark LoMoglio)
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tarpons rallied to take the lead with four runs in the third, but managed just one hit after a lightning delay and the Flying Tigers scored five unanswered runs to take the series-opener, 8-4, on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Lakeland (21-17, 57-54) scored in a hurry off LHP Dalton Lehnen in the first. Danny Pinero, Dylan Burdeaux and Kade Scivicque lined three-straight one-out singles to produce the first run. One out later, Jose Azocar blasted a two-run double to the wall in center, giving the Flying Tigers an early 3-0 lead.
The Tarpons stranded three runners in the first two frames, but rallied off RHP Anthony Castro in the third. After two quick outs, Tampa (20-20, 55-55) had seven-straight batters reach base.
Dom Thompson-Williams homered to right-center and, on the next two pitches, Isiah Gilliam and Donny Sands both singled. Castro then walked Hoy Jun Park on four pitches, loading the bases. Ben Ruta tied the game with a two-run ground-rule double down the left field line. Castro then walked both Steven Sensley and Daniel Barrios, forcing home Park to give the Tarpons a 4-3 lead.
Lightning struck as Estevan Florial stepped to the plate and the umpires had players return to the dugouts. 42 minutes later, RHP Brandyn Sittinger relieved Castro and got Florial to fly out to end the inning.
Lehnen allowed three earned runs on five hits in three innings, walking one while striking out three on 50 pitches (30 strikes).
Castro allowed four earned runs on seven hits in two and two-third innings, walking four while striking out none on 59 pitches (34 strikes).
RHP Christian Morris relieved Lehnen and worked a perfect fourth before yielding a game-tying home run by Pinero in the fifth. Morris continued into the sixth before leaving with two on and one out.
RHP Hobie Harris entered and got a double play ball to end the inning before stranding a one-out single in a scoreless seventh to keep the game tied at 4-4.
Tampa loaded the bases with one out in the sixth when Sittinger walked three batters, but RHP Wladimir Pinto struck out both Gilliam and Sands to escape.
RHP Andrew Schwaab relieved Harris in the eighth and allowed the first two batters to reach. Schwaab got a comebacker off the bat of Azocar and turned to throw to second, but threw wilding into center, allowing Lakeland to take the lead.
A.J. Simcox followed with an RBI single into center and a misplay by Florial allowed Azocar to score. Austin Athmann added an RBI single before Schwaab (L, 1-4) got a double play and a fly out to end the inning.
Pinto (W, 3-2) struck out two more while stranding a one-out walk in the seventh. RHP Fernando Perez retired the side in order in the eighth and worked around a two-out walk in the ninth to close the game.
Thompson-Williams (2-for-4, HR, BB, RBI, R), Park (1-for-3, 2BB, R) and Ruta (2-for-4, BB, 2RBI, 2SB) reached base three times apiece. Gilliam (1-for-5, R) has hit safely in five-straight games.
The series continues on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. when the Tarpons host their "Back to School Splash." The first 1,000 kids (14-and-under) will received a drawstring backpack. RHP Nick Nelson (5-3, 3.33) will make the start against LHP Gregory Soto (5-5, 4.30). Live play-by-play audio will be available on the Tarpons Radio Network.
On "Salute to Service Members Saturday," all military receive a FREE upper reserved ticket with valid I.D. Also, select Tarpons players will be signing autographs on the concourse from 5:40-6:00 p.m.
Images from this story
 Daniel Barrios and Isiah Gilliam of the Tampa Tarpons (Mark LoMoglio) |
 Dom Thompson-Williams of the Tampa Tarpons (Mark LoMoglio) |
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