Tampa Bats Wake up Late in 8-4 Loss
August 21, 2015 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Yankees News Release
Kyle Higashioka of the Tampa Yankees
(Tampa Yankees, Credit: Mark LoMoglio)
TAMPA - A ninth-inning rally fell short for the Tampa Yankees (26-29, 60-65) as the Daytona Tortugas (34-19, 71-52) held on to win, 8-4, on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
The Yankees collected five of their 10 hits in the final inning, scoring three runs and bringing the tying run to the plate before the Tortugas shut the door.
Scoring began in the second when the teams traded runs. Daytona took the lead as Taylor Sparks doubled and scored on a single by Jeff Gelalich. Tampa answered with back-to-back doubles by Miguel Andujar and Kyle Higashioka, tying the game at 1-1.
Daytona regained the lead against LHP Jordan Montgomery in the third. Ty Washington drew a walk and, one out later, scored as Junior Arias hit a two-run home run over the left field wall.
Montgomery (5-5) tallied a season-high five walks as he held the Tortugas to three runs on five hits in five innings, striking out four.
RHP Nick Travieso (6-5) tossed a quality start for Daytona, holding the Yankees to one run on four hits in six innings. Travieso walked one batter and tallied a season-high seven strikeouts.
A 3-1 score remained until Daytona added insurance against RHP Angel Rincon in the seventh. Arias singled and stole second. With two outs, Daniel Pigott raced out an infield single and Arias beat a play at the plate, giving the Tortugas a 4-1 lead.
Four runs in the eighth proved to be the difference in the ball game for Daytona. Chad Wallach and Gelalich each singled and advanced to second and third on a groundout. RHP Luis Niebla entered for Tampa and pinch-hitter Brian O'Grady smacked a two-run single to right. One out later, Arias crushed his second two-run home run of the game, giving the Tortugas an 8-1 advantage.
Down by seven in the bottom of the ninth, the Yankees scored three runs on five hits against RHP Jimmy Moran and brought the tying run to the plate.
Ford, Higashioka and Dan Fiorito each singled, loading the bases with one out. Ford scored as Ericson Leonora reached on a 5-6 fielder's choice. An infield single by Jake Skole reloaded the bases and Jorge Mateo lined a two-run single to center. Abiatal Avelino walked, bringing Dustin Fowler up as the tying run. RHP Alejandro Chacin entered for Daytona and struck out Fowler, ending the game and earning his eighth save.
Higashioka (3-for-4, 2B, RBI) is batting .342 in his last 10 games. Andujar (1-for-4, 2B, R) extended his hit streak to 12 games. Ford (1-for-3, BB, R) has reached base in 21 consecutive games.
The series concludes on Saturday with LHP Chaz Hebert (7-6, 3.04 ERA) facing off against RHP Jackson Stephens (12-6, 2.92 ERA). First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m.
Kick off the upcoming school year with the T-Yanks' Back to School Blast! The Tampa Kids Market will be set up on the concourse with vendors of all ages. The first 500 fans, ages 14 and younger, will receive a Tampa Yankees backpack courtesy of One Main Financial. As part of "Eats for Seats," bring two canned good items to the Steinbrenner Field box office and receive a $2 GA ticket. Donations benefit The Volunteer Way.
As part of Friends and Family Saturday, fans can get 4 Reserved Tickets, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Bags of Chips, 4 Sodas, 4 Tampa Yankees Caps, and 2 passes to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo for $38. Kids Run the Bases before the game from 5-5:15pm. Player Autographs on concourse from 5:10-5:30pm. The Family 4-Pack can only be purchased at the Steinbrenner Field box office. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
Images from this story
 Kyle Higashioka of the Tampa Yankees (Mark LoMoglio) |
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Florida State League Stories from August 21, 2015
- Tampa Bats Wake up Late in 8-4 Loss - Tampa Yankees
- Junior Arias Homers Twice in 8-4 Win Friday - Daytona Tortugas
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- D-Jays Shut out by Lakeland, 4-0 - Dunedin Blue Jays
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- Cardinals Come Back to Edge Mets 3-2 - St. Lucie Mets
- Marauders Sink Miracle, 9-3, to Even Series - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Utne Named FSL Athletic Trainer of the Year - Daytona Tortugas
- Threshers Win Big over Manatees, 11-1 - Clearwater Threshers
- Hammerheads Take Opener 3-1 - Charlotte Stone Crabs
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