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.
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