Tampa Dominates Lakeland in Season Opener

Published on April 8, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Yankees News Release


LAKELAND, Fla. - Opening day could not have gone much better for the Tampa Yankees (1-0). The offense produced nine runs on 14 hits while the pitching staff tallied 15 strikeouts and held the Lakeland Flying Tigers (0-1) to two hits In a 9-2 victory on Thursday night at Historic Henley Field.

RHP Vicente Campos (1-0) earned the win after holding Lakeland to two earned runs on two hits in five innings. The 23-year-old tallied nine strikeouts and walked three, tossing 83 pitches (52 strikes) in his first start of the season.

Jorge Mateo led off the game with a base hit, stole second and later scored on a fielding error. Miguel Andujar crushed a solo home run over the wall in left-center and the Yankees jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first.

Lakeland responded with a run in the home half with a solo homer by Mike Gerber.

Santiago Nessy flexed his muscle with a home run of his own, giving Tampa back a two-run cushion, 3-1, in the second.

Right-hander Alex Wilson (0-1) surrendered three earned runs on four hits in one and a third innings, striking out a pair. Outfielder Cameron Maybin (0-for-2, 2 K, BB) started in centerfield and played six innings. Both Wilson (right shoulder) and Maybin (left wrist contusion) are on rehab assignments from the Detroit Tigers.

Campos ran into some control issues in the third. Back-to-back four-pitch walks began the frame. After striking out A. J. Simcox, a balk advanced the runners to second and third. Following a strikeout of Gerber, a second balk forced home a run. Campos retired the next batter, escaping any further damage.

Tampa added to its lead in the fourth against RHP Endrys Briceno. Nessy doubled and advanced on a single by Zack Zehner. A wild pitch scored Nessy and both Mateo and Abiatal Avelino walked, loading the bases. Zehner scored on a groundout by Andujar and Mateo crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Mike Ford. A two-out single by Billy Fleming plated Avelino, giving the Yankees a 7-2 advantage.

Mateo issued the dagger in the fifth, flying a one-out, two-RBI triple to the wall in straight away center field for a 9-2 lead.

Briceno was charged for six earned runs on seven hits in two and a third innings of work, walking a pair while striking out one.

Campos retired six of the last seven batters he faced before turning it over to the bullpen. RHP Dillon McNamara (1IP), LHP Jacob Lindgren (1IP, 1K) and RHP Jonathan Holder (2IP, 5K) each had perfect outings. The four Yankee pitchers collectively struck out 15 Flying Tigers.

Mateo finished 3-for-5 with a triple, 2 RBI, a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored. Aune (2-for-5, 2B, R) and Zehner (2-for-4, BB, 2 R) each collected a pair of hits in their Tampa Yankee debuts.

The series continues on Friday in Tampa for the home opener at George M. Steinbrenner Field, presented by Bill Currie Ford. LHP Ian Clarkin (0-0, -.-- ERA) is set to face Lakeland southpaw Tyler Alexander (0-0, -.-- ERA). First pitch is at 7:00 p.m. and postgame fireworks are scheduled, presented by Sonny's BBQ

Every Friday Tampa Yankees home game, for $15, fans can get a lower reserved ticket and all-you-can-eat chicken wings from 6:00pm-8:00pm. All fans can enjoy 1/2 price alcoholic drinks and regular soda from 6:00pm-8:00pm.

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Florida State League Stories from April 8, 2016


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