For the third consecutive game the Tampa Yankees came out victorious over the Lakeland Flying Tigers and for the third straight game the T-Yanks had a double-digit hit total.  Leading the way was first baseman Mike Ford who had a big grand slam and centerfielder Jake Skole, who was 3-for-5 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBIs.

Chance Adams took the ball for Tampa, making his first professional start.  He lasted just 3 1/3 innings, allowing 6 runs, 5 earned, on 6 hits while striking out 3.  Of the 74 pitches thrown, he threw 47 for strikes.  Adams gave up 2 runs in the first, 1 run in the second, 2 runs in the third and was charged with a run in the fourth.

Following Adams on the mound was right-hander Joey Maher.  Maher threw 2 2/3 innings and allowed 6 hits and a walk while striking out 3 and threw 27 of 38 pitches for strikes.

The Yankees plated their first run in the top of the fifth inning.  Michael O’Neill hit a sharp line drive to left field before moving to third on a 1-out on a wild pitcher.  After a second out was made O’Neill would score on a throwing error by the pitcher that allowed Mark Payton to reach base.

The real breakout came in the top of the seventh inning when the Tampa Yankees plated 5 runs.  Michael O’Neill, Jake Skole and Jorge Mateo hit back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases for Mark Payton who walked to force a run in.  After a pitching change Mike Ford hit a grand slam to center field to tie the games.

Michael O’Neill led off the top of the eighth inning with a fly ball to right field and then came home on a Jake Skole single to give Tampa the lead.  They added four more in the top of the ninth inning.  Billy Fleming started it with a single, he then moved to second on a wild pitch and then back-to-back walks to Abiatal Avelino and Santiago Nessy loaded the bases.  Austin Aune then lined a single to right to bring home Fleming and Avelino.  Nessy was thrown out at third on the play while Aune moved to second.  Aune then scored when Jake Skole sent a fly ball over the right-center field fence for his first homerun of the season.

Jacob Lindgren pitched a 1-2-3 inning of relief to earn the win before Matt Marsh took over on the mound and threw 2 innings of 1-hit and 1-walk ball, striking out 3 batters.

Sunday these two teams will meet again with the Tampa Yankees attempting to go for a sweep.  Gabriel Encinas will make the start for the Yankees.