Tampa falls to Palm Beach to close out first half, 5-2
June 20, 2024 - Florida State League (FSL)
Tampa Tarpons News Release
Tampa Tarpons on the basepaths
(Tampa Tarpons)
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Tarpons (24-42) fell to the Palm Beach Cardinals (37-29) on Thursday night at GMS Field to close out the first half of the season. The Cardinals clinched a playoff spot with the win, behind a strong 6.2 innings pitched from starter Ixan Henderson. SS George Lombard Jr. (2-for-4, 1R, 1 double) picked up a multi-hit game in the loss.
RHP Bryce Warrecker (4.2IP, 6H, 3ER, 4K, 1HB) made his Tarpons debut, racking up four strikeouts over 4.2 innings. Warrecker's slider recorded a whiff rate of 50% while showing a lot of spin, averaging 2835 RPM.
3B Enmanuel Tejeda reached first base to start the night for Tampa on a throwing error. Lombard Jr. proceeded to drill a 101.6 MPH double off the base of the right field wall to put runners on second and third. Then, 2B Roderick Arias singled to left field, scoring Tejeda and Lombard Jr. for an early 2-0 lead.
Johnfrank Salazar doubled to left field to open the top of the second. Anyelo Encarnacion blooped a single over the head of 1B Dylan Jasso to plate Salazar and cut the deficit in half. Encarnacion then stole second base and advanced to third base on a flyout. Brayden Jobert broke his bat on a ground ball to second. R. Arias avoided the broken bat, fielded the ball, and threw a strike home to throw out the tying run at the plate.
Kade Kretzschmar knotted the game at two in the fifth. After Travis Honeyman doubled with two away, Kretzschmar singled up the middle to tie the game and knock Warrecker out of the game. RHP Aaron Nixon came in from the bullpen and walked three batters in a row to give Palm Beach the lead before getting a groundout to avoid further damage.
The Cardinals added some insurance in the ninth. They loaded the bases with one away, and then Honeyman drew a free pass to plate a run. Later in the frame, Miguel Villarroel hit into a fielder's choice to plate the second run of the inning and make the score 5-2, which would hold to be the final score in the bottom of the ninth.
The Tarpons will take on the Cardinals tomorrow night, with RHP Luis Serna projected to start and commence the second half of the season. Come enjoy Sink or Swim Friday at GMS Field, with first pitch coming at 6:30 p.m.
Images from this story
 Tampa Tarpons pitcher Bryce Warrecker |
 Tampa Tarpons on the basepaths |
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