Tarpons Split Doubleheader To End Rainy Weekend

June 23, 2024 – Florida State League (FSL)
Tampa Tarpons News Release

Tampa Tarpons deliver a pitch
(Tampa Tarpons)

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons (1-1) and Palm Beach Cardinals (1-1) split a Sunday doubleheader at GMS Field. In Game 1, a game that spanned over three days due to inclement weather, the Tarpons emerged victorious, 5-4. The Tarpons entered the ninth inning with a five-run lead, but the Cardinals didn’t go down without a fight. Palm Beach scored four runs in the final inning before falling just short as Tampa held on for victory.

Tampa fell in Game 2 of the twin bill, 13-11. The Cardinals outslugged the Tarpons, putting up thirteen runs in the seven-inning contest. Four Tarpons had a multi-hit game, including SS George Lombard Jr., the Yankees’ sixth-ranked prospect, according to MLB.com. Tampa scored ten unanswered runs and entered the seventh down eight. The Tarpons fought hard to score six in the seventh; however, the rally came to an end with the winning run at the plate.

GAME ONE

RHP Luis Serna (4.0IP, 2H, 1BB, 5K) tossed four shutout innings before the game was postponed for rain on Friday. Serna continued his strong June, striking out four while continuing to use his changeup as his primary pitch. The changeup totaled 42% of his total pitch usage while holding the Cardinals to an average exit velocity of 81.7 MPH on the cambio.

RHP Scott Effross (2.0IP, 1H, 3K) made his second rehab appearance with the Tarpons on Sunday during Game 1, tossing two scoreless innings. After only throwing six pitches on Wednesday, Effross built his pitch count up to 26. He filled up the strike zone, throwing 22 of those 26 pitches for strikes while striking out the side in the sixth.

With one away in the second, three consecutive singles from CF Jackson Castillo, 3B Hans Montero, and RF Willy Montero loaded the bases for LF Coby Morales. Morales bounced into a 3-6 fielder’s choice, bringing home Castillo to give Tampa the early lead.

In the fourth, the Monteros started Tampa’s rally. H. Montero walked, and W. Montero singled to put runners on the corners for the Tarpons. With W. Montero on the move, Morales lined a base hit to right field to give Tampa a 2-0 lead. Shortly after that base hit, Mother Nature struck as the rain poured down. The game was suspended and resumed on Sunday with the Tarpons holding a 2-0 lead. When play resumed, Tampa’s offense picked up where they left off. Morales swiped second base and then PH/C Antonio Gomez lined a…