Yankees Hit 3 Homers in 11-1 Pounding of Manatees
Published on August 21, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Yankees News Release
TAMPA - After losing two straight games, the Tampa Yankees (31-28) bounced back in a big way by tallying 18 hits in an 11-1 win over the Brevard County Manatees (29-28) on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Coupled with a loss by Daytona, the T-Yanks now sit two games back of first place with 10 games remaining.
Six Tampa batters recorded multi-hit games, led by a 4-for-4 performance from Mark Payton. The Yankees centerfield reached base all five times, including a walk and a two-run home run.
LHP Caleb Smith (4-1) dealt five shutout frames en route to his fourth win of the season for Tampa. Smith scattered six hits and two walks while striking out five.
The Yankees tagged LHP Michael Strong (2-2) for four runs on 10 hits in five innings. Strong walked two and struck out six in the loss.
Newest Tampa Yankee Mike Ford opened the scoring in the second by driving in Jose Rosario from second base with a sharp ground ball off Garrett Cooper at first. A clutch two-out single by Ericson Leonora added another run in the third following a double by Aaron Judge. Ford then singled to leadoff the fourth and scored as Reymond Nunez crushed a home run over the wall in left field.
Brevard County scored its only run in the sixth off RHP Philip Walby. With the bases loaded, Parker Berberet singled into left field. Walby then retired the next two batters, limiting the damage.
Tampa quickly responded in the home half off RHP Scott Lieser. With two outs, Kyle Higashioka worked a walk and Payton followed by crushing a ball down the right field line into the Walgreens Deck for his second home run of the season. The Yankees loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh and a wild pitch by Lieser scored Eric Jagielo.
The Yankees issued the dagger in the eighth with four runs against LHP Trevor Seidenberger. Higashioka hit a leadoff double and moved to third on a single by Payton. One out later, Jagielo hit an RBI single into center. Judge then crushed a ball over the video board in left-center field for a three-run home run, giving Tampa an 11-1 lead.
RHP Alex Smith worked two and a third scoreless innings to close out the win.
Jagielo went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Judge hit his eighth home run of the season, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored. Ford, Rosario and Leonora collected two hits apiece.
The series wraps up on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. as RHP Brett Gerritse (4-7, 3.97 ERA) takes the hill for Tampa. RHP Jorge Lopez (9-8, 3.86 ERA) is scheduled to throw for Brevard County.
On Throwback Thursdays, presented by 98.7 The Fan, fans can enjoy throwback prices, such as reserved tickets for $2 and general admission for $1. $2 draft beers, $1 sodas and half price nachos will be available from 6-8:00 p.m.
Florida State League Stories from August 21, 2014
- Kepler's Slam in Ninth Sinks Marauders, 5-2 - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- 'Tees 10 hits not enough in 10-6 loss to Tampa - Brevard County Manatees
- Nunez Homers Twice in T-Yanks 10-6 Win Over 'Tees - Tampa Yankees
- Late Rally Falls Short in Finale at Daytona - Clearwater Threshers
- Sharks Swept by Birds - Jupiter Hammerheads
- Yankees Hit 3 Homers in 11-1 Pounding of Manatees - Tampa Yankees
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