Pfeifer Puts Flying Tigers to Bed After Fast Start, 3-2
Published on July 24, 2019 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Florida Fire Frogs News Release
LAKELAND, FLA.: LHP Philip Pfeifer churned out seven innings for the third-time in his last four starts and the Florida Fire Frogs plated three runs in the fourth to hold off the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 3-2, and secure their third straight road series on Wednesday night at Publix Field at Joker-Marchant Stadium.
Lakeland flew out in front early. Brock Deatherage and Cole Peterson swatted hits to start off the first against Pfeifer. Kody Clemens then blooped a two-run single to center for a 2-0 Flying Tigers lead.
Pfeifer (4-6) reverted to his usual groove after the first, scattering four hits the rest of the way over his final six stanzas. In total, Pfeifer allowed two earned runs and seven hits with eight strikeouts across seven innings while tossing a career-high 108 pitches, 73 for strikes.
The Fire Frogs attacked RHP Tom de Blok in the fourth. Jefrey Ramos led off with a double. Drew Lugbauer tripled to deep right-center, his first three-base hit of the year, scoring Ramos to get the Frogs on the board. Two batters later, Jordan Rodgers smacked his third homer of the season to left, placing Florida in front, 3-2.
Ramos and Lugbauer both went 2-5 and each crossed home once.
Riley Delgado and Brett Langhorne put together phenomenal evenings at the plate, each notching three hits. Delgado's three-hit game was his 33rd multi-hit effort of 2019.
The Flying Tigers got 6 and 1/3's frames out of de Blok (0-10), he permitted nine hits and three earned runs while accepting his third loss of the season to the Fire Frogs.
Both teams missed golden opportunities to score additional runs. The Fire Frogs forced de Blok out of the game in the seventh and loaded the bases against RHP Jason Foley but couldn't score. The Flying Tigers had runners at first and third in the eighth against RHP Walter Borkovich with no outs. Nick Ames soared what appeared to be a sacrifice fly to center, but Clemens was called out for taking off too early from third and Lakeland couldn't threaten further.
Borkovich walked two Flying Tigers but escaped the eighth to preserve
Pfeifer's win. RHP Daysbel Hernandez locked down his second save, hurling eight consecutive strikes to close the contest.
Foley retired five batters out of the Lakeland bullpen, working around two hits and a walk while not surrendering a run. RHP Joe Navilhon tossed a 1-2-3 ninth.
Cole Peterson slashed 2-4 and swiped two bases while being the only Flying Tiger to have more than one knock.
NEXT UP: RHP Tristan Beck (2-1, 4.88) hopes to commence the Fire Frogs seven-game home stand on a high note at noon on Thursday afternoon against Daytona. RHP Wendolyn Bautista (3-3, 3.81) gets the ball for the Tortugas. Fans can enjoy buy-one-get-one specials on canned beer and slushies.
A JAM-PACKED weekend of promotions awaits fans at Osceola County Stadium! Don't miss out on discounted ticket prices, Striker's 3rd Birthday Celebration, and all of the fun at the Pond: https://www.milb.com/florida/tickets/promotions
Florida State League Stories from July 24, 2019
- Cardinals Drop Series Finale vs. Mets - Palm Beach Cardinals
- Mets Handle Cardinals 8-2, Sweep Series - St. Lucie Mets
- Tarpons Drop Rubber Game to Tortugas, 7-3 - Tampa Tarpons
- Pfeifer Puts Flying Tigers to Bed After Fast Start, 3-2 - Florida Fire Frogs
- 'Tugas Trip up Tarpons in Finale, 7-3 - Daytona Tortugas
- Fire Frogs Host Daytona this Weekend - Florida Fire Frogs
- Plassmeyer, Smith Lead Stone Crabs to Doubleheader Sweep - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Clearwater Falls Shy of Bradenton in Series Finale - Clearwater Threshers
- Tarpons to Host "Gasparilla Going for Gold Night" on Saturday, July 27th - Tampa Tarpons
- Stone Crabs Game Notes - Wed, July 24 vs Jupiter - Charlotte Stone Crabs
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