Tarpons split critical doubleheader against Marauders

August 21, 2022 – Florida State League (FSL) – Tampa Tarpons News Release

Tampa Tarpons at the plate
(Tampa Tarpons, Credit: Mark LoMoglio)

TAMPA, Fla. – Close, but no cigar.

The Tampa Tarpons (27-19) failed to gain any ground on the Bradenton Marauders (30-18), splitting Sunday’s doubleheader at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Tarpons were victorious in the opener, but that momentum did not carry into the nightcap. Sunday’s doubleheader concludes their six-game set, which they split three games apiece. The Tarpons sit two games behind the Marauders for first place in the FSL West Division and the final playoff spot.

GAME 1

The Tarpons used a five-run fifth inning to propel themselves past the Marauders in game one, 7-4. RHP Tyrone Yulie drew the start for Tampa and struck out nine batters through 4.1 innings pitched. The right-hander gave up a total of four earned runs, including two immediately in the top of the first.

Tsung-Che Cheng began the game with a lead-off triple to left field and came around to score on a passed ball by C Antonio Gomez. With two on and two out, Norkis Marcos ripped a line drive RBI-single to center to put Bradenton ahead 2-0.

The Tarpons were able to get one of those runs back in the bottom half of the first. CF Spencer Jones and SS Alexander Vargas lined back-to-back singles to open the frame. With both runners in scoring position, Gomez skied a sacrifice fly to Sergio Campana in center field to put Tampa on the board.

Jones tied the game in the next inning with a sharp line drive double to right field which scored 2B Brett Barrera. Both Jones and Vargas finished the night with three hits.

Two Marauders reached base in the top of the fifth, prompting manager Rachel Balkovec to make a pitching change. RHP Trevor Holloway (5-2) entered the game in relief of Yulie but was unable to escape the jam unscathed. Holloway spiked a wild pitch in the dirt to move both runners into scoring position and surrendered a two-run double to Wyatt Hendrie to hand the lead back to Bradenton.

Tampa wasted no time reclaiming the lead in the following frame. Vargas led the inning off with a single off Bradenton reliever Yunior Thibo. Next, 3B Marcos Cabrera and 1B Ben Rice both drew full-count free passes to load the bases with one out. LF Christopher Familia came through in the clutch (yet again) with a ground ball single that found a hole on the right side of the infield. Vargas and Cabrera came around to score and tied the game at four.

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