Tampa Drops Opener to Lakeland, 5-4

May 9, 2016 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Yankees News Release


TAMPA, Fla. - Despite some timely two-out hitting, the Tampa Yankees (17-13) fell in the series-opener against the Lakeland Flying Tigers (17-13), 5-4, on Monday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

All four Yankee runs crossed the plate with two outs.

Cesar Diaz drew a walk and scored on a two-out double by Miguel Andujar, giving Tampa a lead in the bottom of the first.

Lakeland took the lead with a rally against LHP Josh Rogers in the second. Casey Frawley doubled and Grayson Greiner beat out an infield hit after a diving stop by Andujar at third base. Frawley scored on a double by Wade Hinkle and Ross Kivett followed with an RBI single. A.J. Simcox capped the three-run inning with a sacrifice fly.

Christin Stewart led off the third with his league-leading 10th home run of the season, giving the Flying Tigers a 4-1 lead.

Rogers (0-1) allowed four earned runs on eight hits in four innings, walking two and striking out a pair. The southpaw tossed 56 of his 79 pitches for strikes.

Jorge Mateo extended his hit streak to six games with a single in the bottom of the third and stole second. Two batters later, Mateo scored as Andujar reached on a fielder's choice.

Lakeland reacquired a three-run cushion in the fifth off RHP Jordan Foley. Kade Scivicque hit a leadoff double and scored on a two-out, RBI single by Greiner.

Tampa chipped away in the later innings, cutting the deficit to one. Mateo walked in and scored on a two-out single by Billy Fleming in the seventh. Abiatal Avelino led off the eighth with a single and scored, two outs later, on a base hit by Jake Skole.

LHP Caleb Frare retired all six batters he faced in two perfect relief innings, extending his scoreless streak to 13.2 IP to begin the season.

Andujar hit a two-out single in the bottom of the ninth, but RHP Joe Jimenez closed the game for his seventh save with the Flying Tigers.

Mateo (1-for-4, BB) has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games. Andujar (2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI) has 22 RBI. Skole (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) recorded his third multi-hit game. Fleming (1-for-3, 2 BB, RBI) reached base three times. Diaz (0-for-3, 2 BB, R) made his High-A debut.

The series continues on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. RHP Joey Maher (1-1, 2.00 ERA) is schedule to make his second start of the season for Tampa. RHP Endrys Briceno (0-2, 6.51 ERA) is slated to take the hill for Lakeland.

Every Tuesday Tampa Yankees home game, fans can Buy 1 Ticket, Get 1 Ticket FREE. **2 for 1 Tickets can ONLY be purchased at the George M. Steinbrenner Field Box Office.



Florida State League Stories from May 9, 2016


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