Yankees End 1st Half with Double-Header Split
Published on June 24, 2015 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Yankees News Release
TAMPA - The Tampa Yankees (34-36) completed the first half of the 2015 Florida State League schedule by splitting a double-header with the Dunedin Blue Jays (32-38) on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Tampa defeated Dunedin in game one, 5-1, prior to the Blue Jays bouncing back with a 7-5 win over the Yankees in the later game.
Rookie Davis (5-4) got the start in the first game and became the first Tampa Yankee pitcher to earn a fifth win this season. The right-hander allowed one unearned run on three hits in six innings, walking one and hitting two batters while tallying eight strikeouts.
The Yankees rallied for three runs in the third. Abiatal Avelino walked and advanced on a balk by Dunedin starter Luis Santos. Tyler Wade grounded a ball to shortstop and Avelino beat the throw to third. Dustin Fowler followed with an RBI double and scored, along with Wade, on a single by Dante Bichette Jr.
The lone Dunedin run scored in the fourth. J.D. Davis reached on a hit-by-pitch to begin the frame. An error allowed Matt Dean aboard. One out later, Dawel Lugo drove home Davis with a single.
Brandon Thomas and Avelino hit back-to-back singles to begin the home half of the fifth. A sacrifice bunt by Wade advanced the runners before Fowler lined a two-run single into center field, giving Tampa a 5-1 lead.
Santos (4-6) surrendered five earned runs on eight hits in four and two-third innings. The righty walked two and struck out a pair.
RHP Alex Smith worked around a two-out single to close out the game with a scoreless seventh for the Yankees.
Dunedin rallied for four runs off Gabriel Encinas to begin the later game. Roemon Fields walked, Dickie Joe Thon doubled and Davis singled to score the first run of the game. L.B. Dantzler followed with an RBI single and Mitch Nay delivered a run-scoring groundout. After a single by Lugo, Derrick Loveless hit a sacrifice fly to score Dantzler.
Encinas (1-2) yielded a season-high five runs on five hits in two innings, walking two while striking out a pair.
The Yankees responded with a two-spot in the bottom of the first against RHP Jeremy Gabryszwski. Wade and Fowler each singled and scored on a base hit by Mike Ford, cutting the deficit in half, 4-2.
The Blue Jays then scored one run in each of the following three innings. Emilio Guerrero walked, stole second and scored on a double by Martin Medina in the second. Nay drew a walk against LHP Evan Rutckyj in the third and later scored on an errant throw by Ford at first base. A passed ball by Wes Wilson allowed a run score in the fourth, giving Dunedin a 7-2 lead.
A two-out rally in the fifth brought Tampa to within three. Michael O'Neill and Fowler each singled and scored as Bichette hit a doubled off the wall in right field. In the sixth, Ericson Leonora hit a triple to the wall in left center and scored on a groundout by Angelo Gumbs, making it a two-run deficit.
Gabryszwski (4-5) allowed four runs on eight hits in five innings, walking one while striking out six. RHP Wil Browning entered for Dunedin in the seventh and shut the door with a 1-2-3 inning, earning his 13th save of the season.
Fowler led the Yankees in hitting, going 3-for-3 with a double and three RBI in game one and 2-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored in the later game. He is 5-for-7 to begin his season as a Tampa Yankee. Leonora went 2-for-3 with two triples and is now tied for second in the FSL with 26 extra-base hits.
The T-Yanks begin the second half of the season with a fresh 0-0 record as they travel to Lakeland for a game against the Flying Tigers. LHP Jordan Montgomery (1-1, 2.89 ERA) is scheduled to start for Tampa. First pitch is at 6:30 p.m. and can be heard live on tybaseball.com.
The next home game is scheduled for Friday at 7:00 p.m. when the Yankees host the Flying Tigers. On Bill Currie Ford Social Media Fridays, social media fans/followers can enjoy $2 Admission. Also, there will be 1/2 Price Drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic) and $10 All You Can Eat Chicken Wings from 6-8pm on the Walgreens Deck. The Social Media special can only be purchased at the Steinbrenner Field box office.
Florida State League Stories from June 24, 2015
- Munoz Hits Slam in 14th to Sink Mets - St. Lucie Mets
- Yankees End 1st Half with Double-Header Split - Tampa Yankees
- Heredia Tosses Marauders past Charlotte - Bradenton Marauders
- Clearwater Completes Comeback, Clinches Division - Daytona Tortugas
- Clearwater Clinches First Half Title - Clearwater Threshers
- Miracle Win Seventh in a Row, Sweep Cardinals with 4-3 Victory - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
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