Tampa Tarpons manager Rachel Balkovec fist bumps her team during player introductions at Opening Day in Lakeland, FL (John Brophy/Pinstriped Prospects)

Pinstriped Performances

Pinstriped Performances: Tarpons knock off Dunedin in Balkovec’s home debut

Les Williams

Published

April 13, 2022

A historic night in Tampa headlines a wild Tuesday for the Yankees minor league affiliates. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre dropped close home opener while Somerset walked it off and Hudson Valley romped. Here’s your Wednesday rundown.

Grant Richardson (Photo Credit: John Brophy/Pinstriped Prospects)

Tampa Tarpons (3-1):The Tarpons are off to a strong start under trailblazing first-year manager Rachel Balkovec. Tampa knocked off the Dunedin Blue Jays 3-1.

Star of the Game – LF Grant Richardson – 2-3, two-run homer in the second to give the Tarpons an early lead.
Jasson Dominguez – 1-4, 1k. Dominguez is hitting .235
RHP Yon Castro (ND) 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3K. 43 pitches, 21 strikes.
LHP Ryan Anderson (W 1-0) 4.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
RHP Trevor Holloway (S, 1) 1.2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR

Estevan Florial playing for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on May 15, 2021 (Chris Jones)

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders (4-1):The Railriders bats were silent for most of the game, losing the the Norfolk Tides 3-1.

Star of the Game: CF Estevan Florial. The outfielder went 3-3, including 2 doubles, scored a run and worked a walk. Florial is off to a hot start early, trying to force his way to the Bronx. He’s hitting .421 with an obscene 1.417 through 5 for SWB.
Oswald Peraza – 0-4, 3 K, 4 LOB.
Miguel Andujar – 2-4, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 LOB.
LHP Matt Krook (L, 0-1) 4.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K. 74 pitches, 52 strikes.
RHP David McKay 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K.
LHP Manny Banuelos 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Vinny Nittoli 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K.

Brandon Lockridge. Photo by Matt Kardos

Somerset Patriots (3-1): Brandon Lockridge stroked a walk-off double to lead the Patriots in their home opener. Somerset defeated the Erie SeaWolves 2-1.

Star of the Game – Brandon Lockridge went 2-4 with the walk-off double. Also scored a run with 1 K.
Anthony Volpe – 0-3, 3 K. Hitting .200 so far.
Elijah Dunham – 0-4, 2 K. .294 BA.
Josh Breaux 0-4, 2 K. .235
RHP Jhony Brito 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K. 64 pitches, 42 strikes.
RHP Steven Jennings 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K.
RHP Michael Gomez 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.
RHP Barrett Loseke (W 2-0) 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K.

New acquisition from the Phillies org. T.J. Rumfield runs away from Tarpons 3B Tyler Hardman amid a run-down in Clearwater (Photo by John Brophy / Pinstriped Prospects)

Hudson Valley Renegades (3-1) The Renegades took BP off the Rome Braves 11-1. Hudson Valley hit a trio of homers, led by T.J Rumfield’s 5-5, 4 RBI night. Trey Sweeney‘s hot start continued as the Games bashed 12 hits in the series opener.