Win Streak Ends as Miracle Beat T-Yanks
Published on July 27, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Yankees News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - For the second straight night, the Tampa Yankees (19-16) rallied in the ninth inning against the Fort Myers Miracle (23-11). Tampa scored twice and tied the score to end the game into extras before Fort Myers pulled out an 8-6 win in 11 innings on Saturday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
The Yankees jumped out to a three-run lead in the first against LHP Matt Tomshaw. Aaron Judge singled and Greg Bird walked before Dante Bichette Jr. belted an RBI double off the wall in right field. Eric Jagielo followed with a two-run single.
Fort Myers responded with two runs off LHP Miguel Sulbaran in the third. Mike Gonzalez hit a leadoff home run that left the park over the Walgreens Deck in right. One out later, Aderling Mejia drew a walk and stole second. A ground-rule double by Byron Buxton made it a 3-2 game.
A two-out hit by Angelo Gumbs plated the fourth Tampa run. Jagielo singled into right before Gumbs drilled a ball to the wall in right-center field, giving the Yankees a 4-2 lead.
The Miracle put together its biggest inning in the fourth. With the bases loaded and no outs, Gonzalez hit a sacrifice fly. One out later, Mejia hit an RBI single to center. Buxton then plated two runs with a double into left field, giving Fort Myers a 6-4 lead.
Sulbaran allowed six runs on eight hits in five innings of work, walking two while striking out five. It was the first time the southpaw allowed more than two runs since May 27th.
The next four innings were scoreless before Tampa rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth off RHP Tyler Jones (BS, 3). Wes Wilson hit a one-out single into center and Jose Rosario drew a walk, placing the tying runs on base. Aaron Judge hit a deep fly ball to the right field corner where Adam Brett Walker misplayed it. The ball bounced out of play, scoring Wilson and placing runners on second and third. After an intentional walk of Greg Bird, Bichette delivered a game-tying sac-fly to center field.
A 6-6 tie moved into the 11th inning with LHP Ramon Benjamin (0-2) on the mound for Tampa. The first two batters reached for Fort Myers and a sacrifice bunt by Tyler Grimes moved them into scoring position. Mejia lined a single to center, giving the Miracle a lead. Later, Travis Harrison added a run-scoring single.
RHP Brian Gilbert (2-3) held the Yankees scoreless in the 10th and retired the side in order in the 11th, earning the win.
Rosario extended his hit streak to 15 games, going 1-for-5 with a walk and a run scored. Bichette drove in a pair, going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run. Eric Jagielo picked up two RBI and scored once, going 2-for-4.
The series wraps up on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Lefty Conner Kendrick (3-7, 5.86 ERA) will get the start for Tampa as RHP Ethan Mildren (1-0, 6.46 ERA) takes the hill for Fort Myers.
Seniors eat free on Sunday home games with the Tampa Yankees. Fans ages 55 and over receive a coupon for a free scooter dog, small popcorn and a small soda, with the purchase of a $5 reserved ticket. Also, kids ages 14 and under receive free admission. Fans can bring a toy donation to the box office to save $2 on their ticket and the toys will be donated to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.
Florida State League Stories from July 27, 2014
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- Yankees Bounce Miracle, 6-4, in Series Finale - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
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- Cubs Sweep Mets 6-3 and 9-1 in Doubleheader - St. Lucie Mets
- Win Streak Ends as Miracle Beat T-Yanks - Tampa Yankees
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