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Tampa Tarpons

Tough Times in Tampa - Tarpons Fall to Threshers, 4-3

June 23, 2022 - Florida State League (FSL)
Tampa Tarpons News Release


The Tarpons (27-39) once again came so close but found themselves far away from the win column, losing Thursday night's contest to the Clearwater Threshers (35-30), 4-3. While the Threshers controlled the game from start to finish, the Tarpons certainly had plenty of chances to produce more runs. It boiled down to Tampa's baserunning, which was absolutely atrocious.

RHP Juan Carela (4.0IP, 3H, 2ER, 3BB, 8K) made the start for the Tarpons and produced four quality innings of work. Carela has been excellent in the month of June, amassing a 2-0 record with a 2.20 ERA coming into Thursday's tilt. It was not his most dominant outing, but he still managed to fan eight Threshers.

Wilfredo Flores opened scoring in the top of the second with an RBI single to center field. The ball dropped right over both middle infielders who were shifted in with Marcus Lee Sang on third base. Carela did not help his cause, allowing Lee Sang to take second base on a balk and then third on a wild pitch.

The Tarpons answered in the bottom of the third to tie things up at one apiece. CF Jasson Dominguez beat out an infield single to short, followed by DH Antonio Gomez who bounced a triple off the right field fence. Clearwater right fielder Leandro Pineda made a leap at the wall but was unable to bring in the catch. The ball bounced back toward the infield and Dominguez put his lightning speed on display to score standing up. 1B Anthony Garcia and RF Madison Santos both were granted free passes to load the bases with two outs. 2B Ben Cowles was unable to scratch another run across the plate, flying out to Flores in center field.

Speaking of Flores, he struck again in the top of the fourth with an identically placed RBI-single to center field to score Lee Sang for a second time. Carela issued full count walks to Jamari Baylor and Erick Brito to load the bases but was able to bare down to record the last out.

RHP Harold Cortijo was the first reliever out of Tampa's bullpen and did not run into any trouble until the sixth. Albert Jerez was given a free pass, stole second, and scored on Britos' RBI single past the diving Cowles to put the Threshers on top, 3-1.

Clearwater added their fourth and final run in the top of the eighth off a pass ball by C Ben Rice. Rice was unable to reel in RHP Trevor Holloway's pitch and Baylor crossed the plate while the ball bounced to the back stop.

Things got interesting in the bottom of the eighth. Gomez ripped another line drive single to right field, while Garcia and Santos were awarded first base via the walk. Bases juiced, no outs - Rice stepped up to the plate and drew a full count. Clearwater reliever Alex Garbrick delivered a pitch that was called a strike, but Rice asked for the challenge and the call was overturned. Strike three became ball four, and the Tarpons were gifted a run. 3B Roberto Chirinos also earned a walk on four straight pitches to bring Tampa within one run. SS Alexander Vargas was primed to put the Tarps' on top and roped a screamer into right field. The hit seemed destined to drop in and tie the game, but Pineda made the diving catch fully extended to end the threat.

The bottom of the ninth was frustrating to watch, so I'll keep it short and sweet. Dominguez walked on four straight balls but was thrown out trying to steal second base. Gomez followed suit with a walk of his own, but Jared Wetherbee closed the door by fanning Garcia and Santos to end the game.

The Tarpons will look to turn things around tomorrow evening as they play host to the Clearwater Threshers for game four of their six game set. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM EST, with RHP Richard Fitts (1-5, 6.33 ERA) slated to make the start.

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Florida State League Stories from June 23, 2022


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