Tarpons Squeak Past Miracle, 2-1
Published on May 1, 2018 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Tarpons News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - Trevor Stephan tossed a career-best seven innings as the Tampa Tarpons (15-10) edged the Fort Myers Miracle (11-13), 2-1, in the series-opener on Tuesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
The Tarpons grabbed a run off Fort Myers starter Anthony Marzi in the second. Diego Castillo reached on a hit-by-pitch with two outs in the inning and broke for second when Tim Lynch pulled a ball into the right field corner. Castillo scored as Lynch cruised into second with an RBI double.
Stephan retired the first 10 batters he faced before allowing back-to-back singles by Luis Arraez and Jaylin Davis in the fourth. The right-hander escaped by getting the next two hitters out and bounced back with a perfect fifth.
An error let Tampa add what proved to be the decisive run in the bottom of the fifth. Keith Skinner reached on an infield single and stole second. Estevan Florial batted with two outs and grounded a ball towards shortstop Joe Cronin. Cronin's throw sailed into the first base dugout for a two-base error, allowing Skinner to score.
Stephan worked around a one-out walk in the sixth and came out for the seventh. A home run by Travis Blankenhorn snuck over the wall in left, cutting the lead to 2-1. Stephan finished strong, getting a groundout and a strikeout to end the frame.
LHP Trevor Lane (SV, 1) entered in relief and stranded a two-out hit-batter in a scoreless eighth. Lane returned for the ninth and worked around a single and an error, leaving the go-ahead runs on base to pick up his first save of the season.
Stephan (W, 2-0) held the Miracle to one earned run on three hits in seven innings, walking one while striking out six and throwing 60 of 86 pitches for strikes in his third quality start of the season.
Marzi (L, 1-1) also made a quality start, yielding two runs (one earned) on four hits in six innings. The southpaw walked one, struck out five, hit two batters and threw 64 of 92 pitches for strikes.
Isiah Gilliam (3-for-4) logged his third three-hit game of the season. Alexander Palma (1-for-4) extended his hitting streak to seven games, batting .423 (11-for-26) in that span.
The series continues on Wednesday, with RHP Freicer Perez (0-2, 7.27) set to face RHP Tyler Wells (2-1, 3.63) at 6:30 p.m. Live play-by-play audio will be available on the Tarpons Radio Network. On "Wing Deal Wednesday," fans can enjoy wing specials all night long: six wings for $5, 12 wings for $9 and 20 wings for $15.
Florida State League Stories from May 1, 2018
- Tarpons Squeak Past Miracle, 2-1 - Tampa Tarpons
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- Late Rally Sparks Comeback over Palm Beach - Florida Fire Frogs
- Prevost Excels in Mets 4-2 Win at Stone Crabs - St. Lucie Mets
- Blankenhorn Homers, But Miracle Drop Opener - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Florida Fire Frogs Game Notes: May 1, 2018 - Florida Fire Frogs
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- Nate Lowe Wins FSL Player of the Week - Charlotte Stone Crabs
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