Payton's Blast Lifts Yankees over Tortugas
April 23, 2016 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Yankees News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - A three-run home run by Mark Payton is all the Tampa Yankees (11-6) needed to beat the Daytona Tortugas (5-12), 3-1, on Saturday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
LHP Ian Clarkin (2-1) tossed a career-high seven and two-third innings, yielding a run on six hits. The 21-year-old allowed a pair of walks and struck out four, tallying 108 pitches (77 strikes). Clarkin had never pitched more that six innings in any start in his career.
Daytona scored its run in the second. Brian O'Grady singled and stole second. Two outs later, Avain Rachal walked and Jonathan Reynoso blooped an RBI single to right, giving the Tortugas a 1-0 lead.
The Yankees took advantage of the one, and only, bad inning by Daytona starter, Tyler Mahle, in the second. Austin Aune drew a one-out walk and advanced to third on a hit-and-run single by Santiago Nessy. Payton followed with a deep home run over the right field wall, giving Tampa a 3-1 lead.
Following the home run, Mahle (1-1) faced the minimum throughout the rest of his start. The right-hander allowed three runs on two hits and a walk in six innings, striking out eight in his first loss of the season.
RHP Matt Marsh retired four of the five batters he faced in relief, working around a walk and earning his third save of the season.
Payton (1-for-2, HR, BB, 3 RBI, R) leads the team with three home runs and his second on the team with 12 RBI.
The series wraps up on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. as the T-Yanks look to complete their first sweep of the season. RHP Chance Adams (1-0, 7.84 ERA) will start for Tampa against RHP Keury Mella (0-3, 3.68 ERA) for Daytona.
Every Sunday Tampa Yankees home game, fans ages 55 and over receive a coupon for a FREE hot dog, small popcorn, and small soda or HI-C with the purchase of a lower reserved ticket ($5)! All Kids ages 14 and under can run the bases after the game. **Food & Ticket Special can ONLY be purchased at the George M. Steinbrenner Field Box Office.
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Florida State League Stories from April 23, 2016
- Stone Crabs Drop Pitcher's Duel in Extras - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Waddell Tops St. Lucie - Bradenton Marauders
- Payton's Blast Lifts Yankees over Tortugas - Tampa Yankees
- Cardinals Fall to Hammerheads in Extras - Palm Beach Cardinals
- Marauders Club 5 Extra Base Hits in 9-4 Win over Mets - St. Lucie Mets
- Viza Leads Threshers to Fifth-Straight Win - Clearwater Threshers
- Deja Vu All over Again in 4-0 Loss - Daytona Tortugas
- Mark Makes Daytona Pay-Ton in 3-1 Loss - Daytona Tortugas
- Corcino Leads Miracle to 1-0 Walk-Off Win in Extra Innings - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Honeywell Rock Solid Again in Win - Charlotte Stone Crabs
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