After losing four of their last five, the Tampa Yankees were determined to break a losing streak and defeat the Daytona Cubs on Monday night; to do that they put RHP Rafael De Paula (ERA 5.31) on the mound and were able to successfully shutout the Cubs 8-0.
The T-Yanks got off to a hot start in the bottom of the third, scoring six runs to take an early lead. Jose Rosario helped Tampa gain momentum as he was able to reach first on a throwing error by the Cubs’ Jordan Hankins. Back to back singles by Jake Cave and Cito Culver then loaded the
bases with Greg Bird up. With a sac fly to right field, Birdwas able to send Rosario home. A RBI single by Dante Bichette Jr. then send Cave home and put the Yanks up 2-0. Cito Culver then was able to score off a wild pitch by the Cubs’ Tayler Scott. Another wild pitch by Scott after a Matt Snyder walk then allowed Bichette to reach third. But the fun was just starting as a walk by Aaron Judge then loaded the bases once again. A two run single by Danny Oh then send were the fourth and fifth runs by Tampa and Judge would score the sixth with a wild pitch by Daytona.
DePaula pitched 5 2/3 innings allowing 5 hits striking out seven batters. RHP Nick Rumbelow (ERA 3.12) then closed out the sixth innings and the entire seventh of no hit ball. The final Tampa pitcher would be RHP Alex Smith (ERA 1.88) who closed out the eighth and ninth innings with just two hits allowed.
The final two runs were scored off a single by Jose Rosario after a Trent Garrison double. De Paula earns the win (3-5) as the Tampa Yankees finally break their losing streak.
The Tampa Yankees will now take on the Clearwater Threshers at Bright House Networks Field on Tuesday evening.
