Tarpons Score 19 Runs in Come-From-Behind Triumph Over D-Jays

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons (2-0) erased a 7-0 deficit by the fifth before rallying for a whopping nine runs in the sixth en route to a 19-9 win over the Dunedin Blue Jays (0-2) on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Win

All nine Tarpons reached base safely, including five players with multi-hit games, led by a career-high four-hits by Andres Chaparro. Pat DeMarco paced the club with five RBI, including a pair of home runs. Trevor Hauver contributed 3 RBI, along with his third homer in two games.

RHP Harold Cortijo started for Tampa and struggled with command. Dunedin put two on with two out in the second and scored on a pair of RBI singles by Jhon Solarte and Miguel Hiraldo before the next three batters walked, forcing home two more runs. RHP Kevin Milam entered in relief, and Addison Barger followed with a two-run single, capping a seven-run frame.

DeMarco put the Tarpons on the board with a leadoff opposite-field homer to right in the bottom of the third. Tampa would load the bases with no outs, and a run scored as Jake Sanford reached on a fielder’s choice before Chaparro pulled a two-run double into the left field corner, cutting the deficit to 7-4.

Chad Bell lined a leadoff single in the fourth and later scored as Anthony Volpe reached on a throwing error, but the Blue Jays got that run back in the fifth when Eric Rivera walked, stole second and third before scoring on a wild pitch.

In the home-half of the fifth, Chaparro singled into center, and Carlos Narvaez drew a walk before both scored on a game-tying three-run homer to left by DeMarco off Dunedin reliever Gabriel Ponce (BS, 1). It was DeMarco’s first multi-homer game of his career.

A conga line of sorts began in the bottom of the sixth when all nine Tarpons batters reached base safely to begin the frame. Hauver, Sanford and Chaparro linked three-straight singles, Narvaez walked, Bell singled into right, and DeMarco walked before Ponce (L, 0-1) was relieved.

Both Juan De Leon and Volpe drew walks to greet RHP Thomas Ruwe, and Wells followed with a two-run double into the right field corner. Hauver and Wells each contributed a sacrifice fly before the nine-run inning concluded.

The Blue Jays got one back with an RBI double by Solarte in the seventh before Hauver put the cherry on top with a two-run homer off a Dunedin position player – INF Davis Schneider – in the eighth.

Cortijo took a no-decision after allowing seven runs (six earned) in an inning and two-thirds (4H, 5BB, 2K, 55P/20S). RHP Trevor Holloway (W, 1-0) tallied six strikeouts over two and one-third innings (1H, 2ER, 2BB) while earning the win in relief. Milam (2.1IP, 1H, 1BB, 3K), RHP Shane McNeely (1.2IP, 1H, 2K) and RHP Carson Coleman (1.0IP, 2K) logged scoreless outings.

Chaparro (4-for-6, 2 2B, 2RBI, 2R), Wells (2-for-4, 2B, BB, 2RBI, 2R), Sanford (2-for-5, Sac-F, 2RBI, 2R), Bell (2-for-6, RBI, 2R), Hauver (2-for-2, HR, 3BB, 3RBI, 2R) and DeMarco (2-for-3, 2HR, 2BB, 5RBI, 3R) each logged multi-hit games. Volpe (1-for-5, 2B, BB, RBI, 2R, SB) tallied his third stolen base and third extra-base hit in two games.

The series continues Thursday at 6:30 p.m., with RHP Randy Vasquez (0-0, -.--) set to make his first start with the Tarpons. LHP Naswell Paulino (0-0, -.--) is tabbed to start for the Blue Jays. Make your weekend a Fifth Third Longer every Thursday home game. Fans can stop by any City of Tampa Fifth Third Bank location to receive FREE tickets to the game. Plus, fans can enjoy five select concession items for $3 each through the fifth inning.