Tampa Yankees’ Bats Stay Hot In 9-4 Win Over Marauders

The Tampa Yankees began the 2016 season with both an offensive and defensive surge proving that they can be a contender in the FSL North. The T-Yanks took three out of the four games in the opening series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers and then yesterday defeated the Bradenton Marauders 5-2 in the series opener which featured a stellar outing by top prospect James Kaprielian.

On Tuesday night the Marauders and Yankees were back at George M. Steinbrenner Field for the second series of the four game set with RHP Vicente Campos on the mound for the T-Yanks and RHP Alex McRae on the mound for the Marauders.

Mark Payton helped get Tampa on the board with a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third when he hit his first homerun of the season; a two run homer on a fly ball to center. Miguel Andujar then hit a RBI single on a line drive to center field send Jorge Mateo home for a three run Tampa lead.

In the top of the fourth, the Marauders’ bats exploded as they took a 4-3 lead. Bradenton’s Taylor Gushue hit a two run double  to cut the deficit by the Yanks. A RBI single by Pablo Reyes on a line drive to center to tie the game at three. It was then a RBI single on a ground ball to left field by Kevin Newman to give the Marauders the one run advantage.

Campos allowed four runs on six hits in four innings of work; walking two and striking out four.

Tampa tied the game at four in the bottom of the fifth when Andujar’s bat hit another RBI single.

McRae went five innings allowing four runs on five hits; walking two and striking out just one.

But, it was the seventh inning when the Tampa Yankees took the lead and never looked back. Top Yankees’ prospect Jorge Mateo hit a RBI double on a  ground ball to left field to send home Mark Payton. A familiar face in Miguel Andujar hit yet another RBI single to send home Mateo and advance Austin Aune to third base for a 6-4 ballgame. Mike Ford then sealed the deal when he hit his second homerun of the season; a three run doozy on a fly ball to right field for the final 9-4 score.

Eric Ruth worked the fifth through seventh innings for the Yankees,  shutting out the Marauders while striking out four and earned his first win if 2016. Caleb Frare then dealt the eighth and ninth innings with no hits allowed; walking four and striking out two.

Bradenton’s Junior Lopez was charged with the loss with his performance in the sixth and seventh innings; allowing five runs on five hits; walking one and striking out one.

Notable Stats:

Tampa Yankees:

Jorge Mateo: 3 for 4; 2 R; RBI

Miguel Andujar 3 for 5; R; 3 RBIs

Mike Ford: 1 for 3; HR; 3 RBIs

Santiago Nessy: 2 for 4

Mark Payton: 3 for 3; 3 R; 2 RBI

Bradenton Marauders:

Kevin Newman: 1 for 3; RBI

Tyler Gushue: 1 for 4; R;2 RBIs

Pablo Reyes: 2 for 4; RBI

Elvis Escobar: 1 for 4; R