Yankees Fall in Extras, Split Series with Miracle
July 16, 2016 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Yankees News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Yankees (11-12, 53-39) lacked timely hitting and dropped the series finale as the Fort Myers Miracle (14-9, 48-44) salvaged a split of the series, winning 2-1 in 13 innings on Saturday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Despite tallying nine hits and 10 walks, the T-Yanks managed only one run and finished 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
The Yankees loaded the bases with one out in the first and third innings and also placed runners at first and second with one out in the second inning. All three times, Fort Myers starter Sam Clay escaped the threat with a 6-4-3 double play.
Josh Rogers tossed six shutout innings in his 13th start with Tampa. The southpaw scattered three hits and struck out four without issuing a walk. Rogers threw 61 of 93 pitches for strikes and recorded his eighth-straight start of at least five innings pitched and allowing two earned runs-or-fewer.
Clay issued a career-high seven walks and scattered three hits in five scoreless innings. The lefty threw 43 of 85 pitches for strikes, taking a no-decision.
Tampa broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth. Zack Zehner drew a walk and advanced on a wild pitch. Abiatal Avelino reached on an error by second-baseman Tanner Witt, placing runners on the corners. Zehner then scored as Kevin Cornelius grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, giving the Yankees a 1-0 lead.
After LHP Caleb Frare pitched a scoreless seventh, RHP Dillon McNamara (BS, 4) entered in the eighth to protect the one-run lead. T.J. White tied the game for Fort Myers with a solo home run over the wall in the left field corner.
McNamara escaped a jam in the ninth and the game went into extras. RHP Jordan Foley took over and tallied three strikeouts, working around a hit in two scoreless frames.
Connor Spencer hit a leadoff triple in the bottom of the 10th. One out later, Trey Amburgey reached on a hit-by-pitch. RHP Yorman Landa escaped the inning for the Miracle by striking out the next two batters.
Fort Myers scored the go-ahead run off LHP Jonny Drozd (L, 0-1) in the 13th. Witt led of with a single and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Nick Gordon. Chris Paul grounded a ball to shortstop and Avelino sailed a throw into the first base dugout, allowing Witt to score.
Michael Theofanopoulos (W, 1-1) earned the win with three scoreless relief innings. The left-hander stranded the bases loaded in the 12th and tossed a 1-2-3 13th, working around a pair of singles and two walks while striking out five.
Mason Williams (2-for-3, 2B, BB) recorded his fourth multi-hit game of his rehab assignment. Spencer (2-for-2, 3B) replaced subbed in for Williams in the 10th. Zehner (1-for-2, 4BB, R) recorded four walks in a game for the second time in the series.
Up next, the Yankees travel to St. Lucie to a begin a four-game series with the Mets on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. RHP Yefrey Ramirez (1-2, 2.41 ERA) is scheduled to start for Tampa against RHP Scarlyn Reyes (6-8, 6.89 ERA) for St. Lucie.
The T-Yanks return home on Thursday, July 21stto host the Palm Beach Cardinals for a four-game series. Every Thursday Tampa Yankees home game, fans can enjoy 14 oz. draft beer for $2 and 1/2 price regular soda from 6:00pm-8:00pm. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.
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Florida State League Stories from July 16, 2016
- Yankees Fall in Extras, Split Series with Miracle - Tampa Yankees
- Jays Avoid Sweep by Marauders, Win 5-3 - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Miracle Edge Yankees, 2-1, in Thirteen Innings - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Flexen, Mets Complete Sweep of Tortugas with 7-0 Win - St. Lucie Mets
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