Tortugas Outlast Tarpons in Back-And-Forth Battle
June 29, 2023 - Florida State League (FSL)
Tampa Tarpons News Release
Tampa Tarpons at bat
(Tampa Tarpons)
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Tarpons (2-3) could not capitalize on a ninth inning rally as they fell to the Daytona Tortugas (5-0) at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 6-4. The scoring was back and forth all night, but the Tarpons had an opportunity in the ninth to tie or win the game with the bases loaded. However, the rally fell just short. Tampa had trouble with runners in scoring position during Thursday's contest, going just 3-14 in such opportunities.
After dominating in his last start against Fort Myers, LHP Brock Selvidge (4.2IP, 8H, 2R, ER, BB, 5K) picked up right where he left off. Selvidge was a strike-throwing machine; he filled up the zone with 69% of his pitches for strikes. He also had a high spin rate on his slider and fastball, which led to five strikeouts in 4.2 innings. The slider averaged 2751 RPM, while the fastball averaged 2725 RPM.
Carlos Jorge started the top of the third with a base hit to center field. After he moved to second on a walk to Sal Stewart, Jorge swiped third base. Daytona struck first on an RBI knock off the bat of Cade Hunter. After an error, the bases were loaded, and the second run of the inning crossed the plate on a passed ball. Selvidge was able to hold the damage to two runs thanks to SS Jared Serna, who made a beautiful leaping play on a line drive and doubled off Hunter to escape the inning.
The Tarpons answered right back with a two-out rally in the home half of the third. C Omar Martinez ripped a double to left field, and CF Daury Arias tied the game up with a two-run blast to right field. It was Arias' fourth homer of the season.
Someone get ESPN on the phone - RF Tayler Aguilar provided the home crowd with possibly the catch of the season which would've topped SportsCenter's Top 10 tonight. Aguilar made a sensational play, robbing Logan Tanner of a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Aguilar's glove just had enough reach to haul in the fly ball that was aiming for the seats. The play did not end there, though, as Aguilar doubled off Victor Acosta on a strong throw from the right field wall to secure the double play.
Tampa took the lead in the fourth. LF Jake Palmer roped a 100 MPH ground rule double to start things off. Then, Serna dropped a double into no-man's land in shallow right field that bounced over the side wall for another ground-rule double to give Tampa the one-run advantage.
The Tarpons loaded the bases in the fifth and tacked on one more run. Two walks and a bloop single from Arias set up 2B Brett Barrera, who extended the lead when a groundball ricocheted off of the pitcher's leg and scored DH Anthony Hall.
The Tortugas jumped back on top in the seventh thanks to the long ball. Leadoff hitter Hector Rodriguez launched his team-leading thirteenth homer of the year to pull Daytona within one. After Jorge got plunked, Stewart put the Tortugas on top with his second home run of the series, which traveled 382 feet.
Daytona added an insurance run in the ninth. Jorge singled, stole second, advanced to third on a balk, and crossed the plate on a line drive single from Stewart off of 2B Brenny Escanio's glove.
It looked like it was going to be another magical rally for the Tarpons in the ninth. After they loaded the bases with two away, Palmer grounded out to end the game.
The Tarpons will look to break out of their losing streak tomorrow night against the Tortugas. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. with RHP Hayden Merda slated to start on the mound.
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 Tampa Tarpons at bat |
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