TAMPA, Fla. (April 26, 2018) - The Tampa Tarpons scored six runs in the bottom of the first and cruised to a 7-1 win in the series opener at Steinbrenner Field Thursday night. Stone Crabs' (10-11) starter Mikey York (2-2) allowed a double to Thairo Estrada to start the inning
TAMPA, Fla. (April 26, 2018) - The Tampa Tarpons scored six runs in the bottom of the first and cruised to a 7-1 win in the series opener at Steinbrenner Field Thursday night.
Stone Crabs' (10-11) starter Mikey York (2-2) allowed a double to Thairo Estrada to start the inning before Estevan Florial singled to left to put runners at the corners. After a walk loaded the bases, Adam Lind knocked a single to center to plate two and make it 2-0 Tarpons (12-9). Isiah Gilliam followed by pulling a sacrifice fly to right to bring in another run and bring the score to 3-0.
Brandon Wagner and Alexander Palma both rolled slow grounders to third for infield singles to load the bases with one out. Diego Castillo then shot a double down the third base line to plate a pair and make it 5-0. Francisco Diaz followed with a run-scoring groundout to cap the inning at 6-0.
York lasted four innings, allowing one more run to come across in the fourth on another Lind single. York allowed a career-high seven runs on nine hits.
Tampa starter Jonathan Loaisiga (3-0) turned in five innings of one-run ball, striking out seven without walking a batter. Relievers Chase Hodson and Matt Frawley worked four hitless innings. The Tarpons' pitching staff racked up 15 strikeouts, the most against the Stone Crabs all year.
Charlotte scored their lone run on a Matt Duffy RBI single in the third, scoring Robbie Tenerowicz , who doubled.
Stone Crabs relieves Ivan Pelaez and Yoel Espinal did not allow a run over four innings of relief.
Charlotte will turn to Willy Ortiz (2-0, 3.00) to even the series on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Michael King (0-1, 2.12) will get the ball for Tampa. Coverage starts at 6:15 p.m. on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.
