T-Yanks Shutout D-Jays, Clinch Series

June 25, 2017 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Yankees News Release


TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Yankees (3-1, 42-32) ended a seven-game homestand with their league-best 11th shutout win of the season, defeating the Dunedin Blue Jays (1-2, 35-38) in the series-finale, 6-0, on Sunday afternoon at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The T-Yanks claimed the series, 3-1, and have won 10 of their last 11 games.

RHP Taylor Widener (W, 5-6) earned his second-straight win after dealing five scoreless innings in his 15th start of the season. Widener faced one batter over the minimum, holding the Blue Jays to an infield single and a walk while tallying seven strikeouts. The 22-year-old threw 40 of 63 pitches for strikes.

Speed was a big factor in Tampa's victory, beginning in the first inning when Jorge Mateo drew a leadoff walk, stole second and third before scoring on a line drive single by Tito Polo . Polo added his own stole base, but was stranded at second base.

The Yankees did not require a hit to double their lead in the second against Dunedin starter Angel Perdomo . Tampa took advantage of the erratic southpaw as both Gosuke Katoh and Sharif Othman walked. The pair pulled off a double steal and Katoh continued home when catcher Ryan Hissey made an errant throw towards third base. Later, Mateo walked and stole second before Jeff Hendrix reached on a hit-by-pitch, loading the bases. Perdomo got a ground ball from Tito Polo to end the inning.

Perdomo (L, 5-5) allowed two earned runs on one hit and four walks and tallied two strikeouts in two innings of work. The southpaw threw 28 of 55 pitches for strikes in his shortest outing of the season.

Former Tampa Yankee RHP Philip Walby entered for Dunedin in the third and retired the first six batters he faced until Tampa rallied in the fifth.

Mateo lined a leadoff single into left and promptly stole second (his fourth stolen base of the game). Hendrix put down a bunt and reached on an infield single while drawing a wild throw by third baseman Juan Kelly . Mateo scored and Dunedin first baseman Bradley Jones left the game after being injured on the play.

On the next pitch, Polo placed a bunt towards third and new third baseman Cavan Biggio, who moved from second after Kelly took over at first, threw the ball wide of first, allowing Hendrix to score. Trey Amburgey followed by ripping a triple to the wall in left-center, scoring Polo from first. Two batters later, Amburgey scored on a sacrifice fly by Katoh.

LHP Stephen Tarpley collected four strikeouts in two scoreless relief innings. LHP James Reeves tallied a strikeout in a 1-2-3 eighth and RHP Joe Harvey surrendered a pair of singles while completing the shutout in the ninth.

Polo (2-for-4, RBI, R, SB) and Amburgey (2-for-4, 3B, RBI, R) had multi-hit games. Mateo (1-for-3, 2BB, 2R, 4SB) recorded his first four-stolen base game since accomplishing the feat four times while with Single-A Charleston in 2015 (last doing on 7/15/15 @ Rome). The 22-year-old now leads the Florida State League with 28.

After an off day on Monday, the T-Yanks hit the road for three games in Port Charlotte against the Stone Crabs at Charlotte Sports Park. RHP Dillon Tate (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is slated to start against RHP Eduar Lopez (6-5, 3.84 ERA) in the series-opener on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m.

The Yankees return home on Tuesday, July 4th to host to the Fort Myers Miracle at 7:00 p.m. for the "July 4th Celebration." Tampa will honor everyday heroes by allowing free admission for Police Officers, Fire Fighters, EMT Specialists and all Military personnel. A fireworks extravaganza will follow the game.

On BOGO Burgers Tuesday, fans can enjoy a "buy one, get one free" deal on burgers all night. For tickets and promotional information, call (813) 673-3055 or visit www.tybaseball.com .



Florida State League Stories from June 25, 2017


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