Tarpons Lose Rubber-Game in Clearwater, 2-0
Published on August 2, 2018 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Tarpons News Release
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Tampa pitchers held the Threshers to four hits for the second-straight night, but the offense was held scoreless by Clearwater pitching in a 2-0 loss in the rubber game on Thursday night at Spectrum Field.
Clearwater (23-15, 55-51) took two-of-three in the series and improved its record against Tampa (20-19, 55-54) to 7-4.
RHP Rony Garcia scattered a pair of singles over the first five scoreless frames and retired eight-straight batters until Raul Rivas legged out an infield single to lead off the bottom of the sixth.
Garcia followed by striking out the next two batters, but Rivas stole second while J.P. Crawford batted with two outs. Crawford worked the count full before drawing a walk, bringing Jose Pujols to the plate.
After a mound visit by pitching coach Jose Rosado, Garcia faced Pujols and, on a 2-2 pitch, Pujols pulled a two-out, two-run double into the left field corner, giving the Threshers a 2-0 lead.
Garcia (L, 0-2) allowed two earned runs on four hits in five and two-third innings, walking one while striking out seven on 85 pitches (57 strikes).
RHP Ramon Rosso (W, 3-1) faced the minimum through the first four innings and held the Tarpons to two hits and one walk over six shutout frames, tallying sevens strikeouts on 77 pitches (52 strikes).
LHP Jakob Hernandez relieved Rosso and struck out a pair in a perfect seventh before allowing Tampa to load the bases in the eighth.
Steven Sensley lined a leadoff single, but was thrown out trying to advance on a wild pitch. Angel Aguilar then reached on a strikeout/wild pitch and moved to second as Kellin Deglan attempted a bunt single, but was thrown out by Hernandez. After Aguilar stole third, Hernandez walked the next two batters before leaving the game.
RHP Addison Russ entered and got Diego Castillo to groundout to end the threat. Russ (SV, 7) went on to complete a perfect four-out save to end the game.
RHP Greg Weissert struck out three while retiring all seven batters he faced in two and a third innings in relief of Garcia.
Florial (1-for-3, BB) and Sensley (1-for-2, BB) reached base twice apiece. Gilliam (1-for-4) has hit safely in four-straight games. Ben Ruta (0-for-4) snapped a seven-game hitting streak.
Up next, the Tarpons open a seven-game home stand with a three-game series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers. LHP Dalton Lehnen (0-2, 5.25) will make the start against RHP Anthony Castro (5-3, 2.98) in the opener on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Live play-by-play audio will be available on the Tarpons Radio Network.
On "Thirsty Fish Fryday," fans can enjoy seafood specials all night long, including: $7 popcorn shrimp combo, $8 buffalo popcorn shrimp combo and $9 beer battered fish. Fans can also enjoy $3 16oz. draft Budweiser/Bud Light, $1 small fountain drinks and 1/2 price wine from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Florida State League Stories from August 2, 2018
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- Jays Steal Extra Inning Win from Lakeland, Complete Sweep - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Pujols Fuels Clearwater in 2-0 Victory - Clearwater Threshers
- Tarpons Lose Rubber-Game in Clearwater, 2-0 - Tampa Tarpons
- Gibbons Flirts with No-No, Mets Cruise 10-3 - St. Lucie Mets
- Trio of Fire Frogs Make High-A Debuts in Loss to Stone Crabs - Florida Fire Frogs
- Florida Fire Frogs Game Notes: August 2, 2018 - Florida Fire Frogs
- Tampa Tarpons Game Notes: at Clearwater - Tampa Tarpons
- Mets Back Home for 3 Games Starting Friday - St. Lucie Mets
- Tarpons to Host "Back to School Splash" on Saturday, August 4th - Tampa Tarpons
- Florida and Palm Beach Game Time Changed - Florida Fire Frogs
- Kevin Smith Joins 20-20 Club in 4-3 Win over Lakeland - Dunedin Blue Jays
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