Tampa Tarpons Game Notes: vs. Lakeland
August 4, 2018 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Tarpons News Release
8/4 Tampa vs. Lakeland - Game 2 (of three) - George M. Steinbrenner Field (Tampa, FL) - 6:30 p.m.
Pitching Matchup: LHP Gregory Soto (5-5, 4.30) vs. RHP Nick Nelson (5-3, 3.33). Live Audio: TuneIn Radio (Tampa Tarpons Broadcast Network).
LAST NIGHT: The Tarpons rallied to take the lead with four runs in the 3rd, but managed just one hit in the final six innings after a lightning delay and the Flying Tigers scored five unanswered runs to take the opener, 8-4...LHP Dalton Lehnen (3.0IP, 5H, 3ER, 1BB, 3K, WP, 50P/30S) had his start cut short due to the 42-minute delay...Dom Thompson-Williams (2-for-4, HR, BB, RBI, R) clubbed his 14th HR (9th w/ Tampa)...Ben Ruta (2-for-4, 2B, BB, 2RBI, 2SB) and Hoy Jun Park (1-for-3, 2BB, R) also reached base twice apiece...RHP Christian Morris (2.1IP, 2H, 1ER, 1BB, 2K, HR) made his first appearance with Tampa since April...RHP Hobie Harris (1.2IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 1K) made his return from the disabled list...Lakeland took advantage of a pair of fielding errors and scored four runs in the 8th off RHP Andrew Schwaab (L, 1-4)(2.0IP, 4H, 4R/3ER, 2BB, 1K).
RUTA'S RAKING: In his last 12 games, Ben Ruta is batting .417 (20-for-48) with 9RBI and nine runs scored. The 24-year-old also leads all Yankees minor leaguers with 33 stolen bases.
BACK TO SCHOOL SPLASH: Today, the Tarpons are hosting a "Back to School Splash." The first1,000 kids (14-and-under) received a free Tampa Tarpons drawstring backpack. The event also includes a dunk tank and an inflatable obstacle course. Fans are invited to stick around after the game for a fireworks display.
VS. LAKELAND: Tonight will be the 15th of 16 games scheduled between the Tampa Tarpons and Lakeland Flying Tigers. Lakeland currently leads the season-series, 9-5. The Tarpons are 2-6 against the Flying Tigers when playing at GMS Field. In 10 games against Lakeland, Hoy Jun Park is batting .419 (13-for-31) with 4R, 2HR, 5RBI, 4BB 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.
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 1,026K entering today. That is 93K more than the team ranked second (Clearwater - 933). Tampa is averaging 9.33 K-per-game and is on pace for 1,306K, 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.
BABY BOMBERS: The Tarpons currently lead the league with 87 home runs. No other team has more than 78.
FOR STARTERS: RHP Nick Nelson (5-3, 3.33) will make his 14th start (15th appearance) with Tampa. Last time out, took a no-decision vs. Palm Beach on 7/28 (5.0IP, 3H, 1ER, 4BB, 4K, WP, 92P/53S)...Began the season with Single-A Charleston, going 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA (24.2IP, 18H, 10ER, 1HR, 2HB, 7BB, 35K) in five starts with the RiverDogs...did not allow a run in his final 13.0IP with Charleston.
2017: Spent the season in the Single-A Charleston rotation, making 22 starts and registering a 3-12 record and 4.56 ERA (100.2IP, 103H, 54R/51ER, 50BB, 110K, 5HR)...tied for the SAL lead in losses...after going 0-6 with a 6.34 ERA (38.1IP, 27ER) in his first nine outings, was 3-6 with a 3.47 ERA (62.1IP, 24ER) in his final 13 starts.
Personal: 22-years-old, 6-1, 195 - Panama City, Florida...Selected by the Yankees in the fourth round in 2016 out of Gulf Coast State College...Played two seasons (2015-16) at Gulf Coast State College (Fla.), where he went 13-5 with a 4.16 ERA (114.2IP, 108H, 64R/53ER, 49BB, 121K) in 22 games (21 starts)...had committed to play at the University of Florida before signing with the Yankees...graduated from Rutherford H.S. (Fla.) in 2014...was selected by the Giants in the 31st round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft but did not sign...Ranked as the No. 18 Yankees prospect by MLB Pipeline.
Florida State League Stories from August 4, 2018
- Palacios Robs Charlotte for Thrilling 6-5 Win - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Tortugas Drop Middle Game of Three Game Series - Daytona Tortugas
- Late Comeback Falls Short in 7-6 Loss - Tampa Tarpons
- Eickhoff Rehabs, Parkinson Brilliant in 2-Hit Shutout - Clearwater Threshers
- Fire Frogs Hang Tough, Lose in Walk-Off to Miracle - Florida Fire Frogs
- Groupers Walk Off, 1-0, On Contreras Blast - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Charlotte Comeback Falls Short in 6-5 Loss - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Mets Pound out 11 Hits in 7-2 Win over Tortugas - St. Lucie Mets
- Tampa Tarpons Game Notes: vs. Lakeland - Tampa Tarpons
- Florida Fire Frogs Game Notes: August 4, 2018 - Florida Fire Frogs
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