TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Yankees started a three-game series against the Daytona Tortugas Thursday night. The Tampa Yankees sent righty Eric Ruth (ERA 2.70) to the mound against Daytona’s lefty Amir Garrett (ERA 4.09). Once again a late offensive push helped the Tampa Yankees secure the 4-1 victory.
In the bottom of the first, the Tortugas got on the board and took and early 1-0 lead with a leadoff homerun by Phillip Ervin over the T-Yanks.
The scoreboard stayed blank on both sides as Ruth went six innings allowing just three hits and one run; striking out four batters.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Yanks took a 2-1 lead which began with back to back singles by Mark Payton and Tyler Wade. A fielding error by Daytona’s left fielder Sebastian Elizalde then advanced both runners. A 2 run single by Kyle Higashioka then put the Yanks in the lead.
Righty reliever Luis Niebla (ERA 0.00) pitched the 7th and 8th allowing just one hit and striking out three batters.
In the bottom of the eighth, Claudio Custodio walked to start the inning and would then be out at second after Mark Payton grounded into a forced out. As Tyler Wade was at the plate for his at-bat, Payton stole second and would score Tampa’s third run of the night with a single by Wade. Miguel Andujar walked and Wade would later score after a single by Higashioka to put Tampa up 4-1.
RHP Angel Rincon (ERA 3.60) pitched the ninth inning with just two hits allowed and striking out one batter.
Ruth earned his first win of the season (1-0), Niebla the hold (H, 1) and Rincon the save (S,2).
Stats:
Mark Payton: 1 for 4; 2 R
Tyler Wade: 3 for 4; RBI
Kyle Higashioka: 2 for 4; 3 RBIs
Mike Ford: 1 for 4
Ericson Leonora: 1 for 3
Next Game:
The Tampa Yankees (7-7) will take on the Daytona Tortugas (9-4) on Friday night at 7:00pm.
