T-Yanks Fall to Miracle, 7-4
July 23, 2015 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Yankees News Release
TAMPA - Despite outhitting the Fort Myers Miracle (16-12, 54-44), 11-9, the Tampa Yankees (13-14, 47-50) dropped game two of the four game series, 7-4, on Thursday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
The game featured no hits from either side until the Yankees scored in the third. Kyle Higashioka hit a one-out double over the head of Zach Granite in left. A bunt single by Michael O'Neill placed runners on the corners before Tyler Wade drove home Higashioka with a single to center.
Following a brief 24-minute-rain delay in the fourth, Tampa added another run off LHP Mat Batts. Ericson Leonora drew a two-out walk and Higashioka singled him to third. O'Neill hit a broken-bat single into shallow left, scoring Leonora for a 2-0 Yankee lead.
LHP Jordan Montgomery got the start for Tampa and tossed four scoreless frames before the Miracle rallied in the fifth. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Logan Wade singled into right. The tying run scored as Engelb Vielma grounded into a double play. Ryan Walker followed with a go-ahead RBI single, giving Fort Myers a 3-2 lead.
Montgomery pitched five innings, allowing three runs on five hits. The southpaw walked a pair and struck out three in a no-decision.
Tampa tied the score in the sixth without the need of a hit. Miguel Andujar walked and tagged to second and third on consecutive fly outs. A wild pitch by reliever Nick Burdi allowed Audujar to cross home, tying the score at 3-3.
LHP Evan Rutckyj (2-2) retired all three batters faced in the sixth before finding trouble in the seventh. Logan Wade hit a bunt single and Vielma laid down a sacrifice bunt to third, thrown out of play by Andujar for a two-base error. After a strikeout by Walker, Mitch Garver lined a two-run single into left. One out later, Jason Kanzler smacked a two-run homer over the wall in right for a 7-3 Miracle lead.
The Yankees scored once off Fort Myers closer Todd Van Steensel in the ninth, coming up shy of a comeback. Abiatal Avelino doubled and scored on a single by Dustin Fowler prior to Van Steensel earning his 13th save of the year.
Batts dealt five and a third innings for the Miracle, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks, striking out six in a no-decision. Burdi (1-1) earned the win, tossing one and two-third scoreless frames. The righty yielded two hits and struck out three.
Wade and Fowler each went 2-for-5 with and RBI. Higashioka (2B, R) and O'Neill (RBI) both went 2-for-4. Andujar (1-for-3, BB, R) has a five-game hit streak.
Up next, the series concludes with two games in Fort Myers at Hammond Stadium. LHP Dietrich Enns (0-0, 1.13 ERA) is set to face RHP Kohl Stewart (4-5, 3.26 ERA) on Friday at 7:05 p.m. Tampa will then travel to Jupiter for four games against the Hammerheads.
The next home game for the T-Yanks will be a double-header against the Bradenton Marauders on Friday, July 31st, at 5:00 p.m. for Blue's Birthday Bash. Join the T-Yanks and other local area mascots as we celebrate Blue's Birthday! Kid's Club members can enjoy a sweet treat, autograph session, dance party and more! Non-members can join the party for $10.
Bill Currie Ford Social Media Friday will also take place. ALL social media fans/followers may receive $2 Admission. Also, all fans can enjoy 1/2 Price Drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic) and $10 All You Can Eat Chicken Wings from 6-8pm on the Walgreens Deck. The Social Media special can only be purchased at the Steinbrenner Field box office.
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Florida State League Stories from July 23, 2015
- T-Yanks Fall to Miracle, 7-4 - Tampa Yankees
- Cozens Clubs Three Hits in 10-Inning Loss - Clearwater Threshers
- Garver and Kanzler Boost Miracle to 7-4 Victory in Tampa - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Tortugas Take First Two - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Marauders Inch within Game of First by Doubling Dunedin - Bradenton Marauders
- Mets and Manatees Rained out Again - St. Lucie Mets
- Amir Garrett Dominates Again in 5-2 Victory - Daytona Tortugas
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