Tampa Tarpons Game Notes: vs. Lakeland
August 3, 2018 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Tarpons News Release
8/3 Tampa vs. Lakeland - Game 1 (of three) - George M. Steinbrenner Field (Tampa, FL) - 6:30 p.m.
Pitching Matchup: RHP Anthony Castro (5-3, 2.98) vs. LHP Dalton Lehnen (0-2, 5.25). Live Audio: TuneIn Radio (Tampa Tarpons Broadcast Network).
LAST NIGHT: The Tarpons were shutout for the seventh time this season as the Clearwater Threshers claimed the rubber game, 2-0, on Thursday night at Spectrum Field...Estevan Florial (1-for-3, BB), Isiah Gilliam (1-for-4) and Steven Sensley (1-for-2, BB) had the only hits for Tampa...RHP Rony Garcia (L, 0-2)(5.2IP, 4H, 2R, 1BB, 7K, WP, 85P/57S) retired 15 of the first 17 batters he faced before allowing a two-out, two-run double by Jose Pujols in the 6th...RHP Ramon Rosso (W, 3-1) logged 6.0 scoreless frames for Clearwater...The Tarpons loaded the bases with two outs in the 8th against LHP Jakob Hernandez (1.2IP, 1H, 2BB, 3K), but RHP Addison Russ (SV, 7) entered and retired all four batters he faced...RHP Greg Weissert logged a perfect 2.1IP (3K) in relief of Garcia.
VS. LAKELAND: Tonight will be the 14th of 16 games scheduled between the Tampa Tarpons and Lakeland Flying Tigers. Lakeland currently leads the season-series, 8-5. The Tarpons are 2-5 against the Flying Tigers when playing at GMS Field. In nine games against Lakeland, Hoy Jun Park is batting .429 (12-for-28) with 3R, 2HR, 5RBI, 2BB and 1SB.
NOW BATTING, THE PITCHER: Both Isiah Gilliam and Hoy Jun Park left Wednesday's game after two plate appearances, causing manager Patrick Osborn to get creative. DH Ben Ruta was forced to play the field, doing away with the DH and thus creating a pitchers' spot in the lineup. In the top of the 8th, LHP Justin Kamplain stepped to the plate for his first-career plate appearance. Clearwater reliever Grant Dyer missed with four-straight fastballs, walking Kamplain. Deglan followed with a two-run homer, giving Kamplain his first-career run scored.
RUTA'S RAKING: In his last 11 games, Ben Ruta is batting .409 (18-for-44) with 7RBI and nine runs scored. The 24-year-old also leads all Yankees minor leaguers with 31 stolen bases.
1,000 K CLUB: On Tuesday, the Tarpons' pitching staff became the first to reach 1,000 strikeouts in the Florida State League. Tampa leads the league in strikeouts, totaling 1,019K entering today. That is 95K more than the team ranked second (Clearwater - 924). Tampa is averaging 9.35 K-per-game and is on pace for 1,309K, which would crush its own FSL single-season strikeout record set last season with 1,215K.
STRIKEOUTS FOR A CAUSE: The Tarpons have partnered with the American Cancer Society. Throughout the month of August, each time a strikeout is recorded by a Tampa pitcher, money will be raised for cancer research. The Tarpons are asking fans to donate $1.00 for every time a Tampa pitcher strikes out an opposing batter in the 31 games scheduled for August. To donate, fans must visit www.PledgeIt.com/TampaTarpons.
BACK TO SCHOOL SPLASH: The Tarpons will host a "Back to School Splash" on Saturday, August 4th. The first1,000 kids (14-and-under) will receive a free Tampa Tarpons drawstring backpack. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. and the Tarpons will battle the Lakeland Flying Tigers at 6:30 p.m. Select Tarpons playes will be signing autographs on the concourse from 5:40-6:00 p.m. The event will also include a dunk tank and an inflatable obstacle course. Fans are invited to stick around after the game for a fireworks display.
BABY BOMBERS: The Tarpons currently lead the league with 86 home runs. No other team has more than 78.
FOR STARTERS: LHP Dalton Lehnen (0-2, 5.25) will make his fifth start with Tampa...Last time out, took a no-decision vs. Palm Beach on 7/27 (4.1IP, 6H, 7ER, 6BB (career-high), 0K, 87P/44S)...Began the season with Single-A Charleston, going 6-3 with a 2.67 ERA (70.2IP, 59H, 23R/21ER, 3HR, 3HB, 24BB, 73K) in 13 games (11 starts).
2017: In his professional debut, combined with the GCL Yankees West and Rookie-level Pulaski to go 2-0 with a 4.05 ERA (33.1IP, 40H, 20R/15ER, 9BB, 43K, 3HR) in 11 games (10 starts).
Personal: 22-years-old, 6-3, 222 - Burnsville, Minnesota...Selected by the Yankees in the sixth round in 2017 out of Augustana University...In his only season at Augustana University (S. Dak.), went 3-3 with a 2.60 ERA (52.0IP, 15ER) and 61K in 11 games (10 starts)...prior to transferring to Augustana, attended the University of Cincinnati for two years.
Florida State League Stories from August 3, 2018
- Threshers Erase 6-Run Deficit, Win 9-6 at Bradenton - Clearwater Threshers
- Logue Dominates as Jays Shut out Charlotte - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Offense Goes Quiet After Lightning Delay in 8-4 Loss - Tampa Tarpons
- Graterol Tames Fire Frogs In 7-1 Victory - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Waters Picks up First Hit in Loss to Miracle - Florida Fire Frogs
- Scott Moss Ties MiLB Lead with 13th Win - Daytona Tortugas
- Tortugas Escape with 3-2 Win vs. Mets - St. Lucie Mets
- Stone Crabs Win Streak Snapped at Seven - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Florida Fire Frogs Game Notes: August 3, 2018 - Florida Fire Frogs
- Stone Crabs Game Notes - Fri, Aug 3 at Dunedin - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Tampa Tarpons Game Notes: vs. Lakeland - Tampa Tarpons
- Free Faith Service on Sunday, August 19th - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Government Appreciation Is on Thursday, August 9 - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Join Us for Christmas in August and Fireworks - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Flying Tigers Return Home Monday for Series against Miracle - Lakeland Flying Tigers
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