Bid for Undefeated Season Ends as Tarpons Drop Finale, 4-1
TAMPA, Fla. – After scoring an unbelievable 77 runs over a five-game winning streak, the offense fell down to earth on Sunday as the Tampa Tarpons (5-1) dropped the series-finale to the Dunedin Blue Jays (1-5), 4-1, on Mother’s Day at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Dunedin struck first against RHP
TAMPA, Fla. – After scoring an unbelievable 77 runs over a five-game winning streak, the offense fell down to earth on Sunday as the Tampa Tarpons (5-1) dropped the series-finale to the Dunedin Blue Jays (1-5), 4-1, on Mother’s Day at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Dunedin struck first against RHP
Sauer bounced back, retiring seven-straight batters before a one-out single by MacKenzie Mueller in the fourth. Sloniger followed with a walk before a wild pitch and a balk allowed Mueller to score. One out later, an RBI single by Jhon Solarte gave the Blue Jays a 4-0 lead.
RHP
Sauer (L, 0-1) allowed four earned runs on five hits in three and two-third innings, walking two while striking out five on 62 pitches (37 strikes).
RHP Rafael Ohashi started for Dunedin and retired all nine batters faced, collecting four strikeouts along the way. RHP Willy Gaston extended the perfect game bid into the fifth until back-to-back one-out singles by
Trevor Hauver greeted RHP Gabriel Ponce with a leadoff blast over the wall in right-center, which proved to be the lone run scored by Tampa. Hauver now leads all players across Minor League Baseball with six home runs in five games.
LHP
Ponce (H, 1) completed three innings of relief, tallying seven strikeouts while yielding one run on two hits and a walk. RHP Adrian Hernandez (SV, 1) added two punchouts while stranding a two-out double by Burt in the ninth to complete the game.
Up next, the Tarpons visit Lakeland for a six-game series against the Flying Tigers. RHP
The Tarpons return to GMS Field to begin a 12-game home stand on Tuesday, May 16th at 6:30 p.m., beginning with a six-game series vs. Fort Myers. On Tail Waggin’ $2 Tuesday, fans can enjoy $2 select concession items through the 2nd inning AND bring your dog to the game with the purchase of a $2 dog ticket.