Tampa Defeats Brevard County for 4th Win in a Row
July 7, 2015 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Yankees News Release
TAMPA - For the first time this season, the Tampa Yankees (7-5, 41-41) have strung together four consecutive victories as a result of a 6-4 win over the Brevard County Manatees (4-8, 33-47-1) on Tuesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Jordan Montgomery (2-3) earned the win for the Yankees, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits in seven innings. The southpaw struck out four and did not surrender a walk.
A back-and-forth affair began when the Yankees took a lead in the first. Tyler Wade drew a walk went to second as Abiatal Avelino knocked a single off of umpire Dave Attridge into centerfield. One out later, Mike Ford loaded the bases with a single and Dante Bichette Jr. cashed in a run with a slow-rolling groundout to shortstop.
The lead didn't last long as Brevard County struck for two runs in the second. Taylor Brennan hit a leadoff single and scored as Garrett Cooper tripled to the wall in right-center. A groundout by Cameron Garfield scored Cooper to give the Manatees a 2-1 lead.
The Yankees had a quick answer in the home half. Jake Skole doubled center and scored on an RBI single by Kyle Higashioka, tying the game at 2-2.
A few Brevard County miscues helped Tampa take a 4-2 lead in the fourth. Higashioka reached on a fielding error at first by Cooper. Wade smacked a two-out double to left, placing runners at second and third. Avelino hit a groundball to shortstop and Angel Ortega threw the ball high and into the Yankees' dugout, allowing two runs to score.
Montgomery retired the first two batters in the fifth before Ortega lined a single to right. A wild pitch rolled to the backstop and Ortega took second and ran towards third. A throw by Higashioka went up the left field line, allowing Ortega to score.
The Manatees tied the game in the sixth. Chris McFarland singled and advanced on a wild pitch. One out later, Clint Coulter grounded an RBI single into center, tying the score at 4-4.
Tampa took back the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth. Skole singled and advanced to third on a base hit by Higashioka. A double-play groundball by Michael O'Neill allowed Skole to score, giving the Yankees a 5-4 lead.
Mike Ford hit his first triple of the season with one out in the seventh. Ford later scored on an infield single by Miguel Andujar, giving Tampa its insurance run.
RHP Giovanny Gallegos struck out the side in a perfect eighth. RHP Alex Smith picked up one strikeout in a 1-2-3 ninth, earning his sixth save.
Wade (3-for-4, BB) scored two runs and finished a home run shy of the cycle. Ford (2-for-3, 3B, BB) reached base three times and scored a run. Skole (2-for-4) scored twice in his first multi-hit game with Tampa. Higashioka (2-for-4) scored once and picked up his 19th RBI.
The series continues on Wednesday when RHP Vicente Campos (0-1, 3.60 ERA) makes his second start of the year with Tampa. RHP Jorge Ortega (6-5, 2.33 ERA) will counter for Brevard County. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.
Kids eat free every Wednesday home game with the T-Yanks. Kids 14 and under receive a coupon for a free Hot Dog, Cracker Jacks and SM Soda or Juice with the purchase of a reserved ticket.
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