Tampa’s bats’ explosive in 9-2 win

The Tampa Yankees and Dunedin Blue Jays met at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium early Tuesday morning for the second game of the series. RHP Jonathan Holder took the start for Tampa versus RHP Justin Shafer for Dunedin. After a hot day game with some hot bats, the T-Yanks took the 9-2 win over the D-Jays.

The T-Yanks took an early lead scoring three runs in both the third and fourth innings. The third inning’s runs came first from a RBI triple by Tyler Wade to score Abiatal Avelino. Miguel Andujar then hit a RBI single to send Wade home. Andujar then stole second base while Mark Payton was at-bat, that plate appearance would then lead to a RBI single that sent Andujar home for a three rune lead.

The additional three runs in the fourth inning started with a solo homerun by Ericson Leonora, his fourth of the season. Consecutive singles by Kyle Higashioka, Avelino and Wade then loaded the bases for the Yanks with one out. Andujar then grounded into a forced out to send Higashioka home to score. A RBI double by Mike Ford then sent Avelino home and put Tampa up 6-0.

In the bottom of the fourth the D-Jays then scored off a L.B. Dantzler single to send Dickie Joe Thon.

Holder (ERA 2.86) pitched six innings allowing three hits and one run; striking out an impressive seven batters and Andury Acevedo (ERA 0.79) pitched a one hit seventh; striking out two.

The T-Yanks then had another offensive push in the top of the eighth. Payton led off the inning with a walk and would advance to third off a single by Michael O’Neill who would advance to second base on a throwing error by the Jays. A single by Danny Oh then sent Payton home to score and a sac fly by Leonora then sent O’Neill home. The third run of the game was then scored when Tyler Wade grounded into a forced out to allow Danny Oh to score.

Dunedin tacked on one more run with a sac fly by Dantzler to send Thon home and make it a 9-2 ballgame.

Cale Coshow pitched the eighth and ninth with no hits, one unearned run and struck out two batters.

Holder earned the win (3-2) and Shafer was charged with the loss (1-2).

Tampa’s Top Stats:

Every member of the Tampa Yankees had at least one hit in today’s game.

Abiatal Avelino: 2 for 5; 2 R
Tyler Wade: 2 for 5; R; 3B, 2 RBIs
Miguel Andujar: 1 for 5; 2 RBIs; R
Mike Ford: 1 for 4; RBI
Mark Payton: 1 for 3; RBI
Michael O’Neill: 2 for 5; R
Kyle Higashioka: 2 for 3;
Ericson Leonora: 1 for 4; HR

Up Next:
The Tampa Yankees will take on the Dunedin Blue Jays in the third game of the series on Wednesday night at 6:30pm.