On the mound in the first game was Jose Ramirez, he was supposed to start last nights game but it of course got rained out. He was 0-2 going into the game, still looking for his first win and looking for a good start finally. Unfortunately today was not his day. Ramirez pitched 3 innings and did well in the first 3 innings despite giving up 5 hits and 1 run(came on a walk and 3 singles). Where he got into trouble was the 4th inning. Ramirez started the inning allowing 3 straight singles. He was pulled and replaced by Kelvin Perez leaving the bases loaded with no outs. Kelvin Perez got a ground ball and Luke Murton tried to throw the runner out at 2nd to start a 3-5-3 double play but he got a throwing error, 1 run scored and the bases were still loaded. Perez got the next batter to strike out swinging but then Darin Ruf hit the first pitch right over the fence for a grand slam. The next batter led off with a single, and the guy after him reached on another error by Luke Murton. Perez got out of the inning by getting a flyout and strikeout. Jose Ramirez ended his day allowing 8 hits in 3 innings, 4R/3ER 2BB and 3K.
Scorecard for the Threshers batters
The Tampa Yankee offense was virtually invisible. They got 4 hits all by different people. They hit the ball hard but always right to someone or just at the fence. I was happy for Taylor Grote who leads the team in strikeouts, because he didnt strike out once in the first game. He hit one way out to left field that got caught and in his last at-bat he hit a double on a ball to straightaway center. Unfortunately Kyle Higashioka grounded out to second for the last out of the first game and Grote's 2 out double was for not. One inning earlier, Emerson Landoni who was playing SS also doubled. He moved to 3rd on a groundout by Abe Almonte and scored on a groundout by Walter Ibarra. Landoni's run was the only TY run of the game. The TY got outhit 15-4 they lost the game 10-1 in 7 innings which is regulation for minor league doubleheaders.
Scorecard for the Tampa batters
The second game was pitched by Michael Solbach who has done remarkably well this season so far. He has always been the one to come out after Brett Marshall pitches and handles the next few innings to keep them in the game or keep them in the lead. He moved into the rotation when Jairo Heredia got put on the DL for elbow inflammation. Solbach also wears #36 which automatically made me like him(Brad Suttle was my fave TY player last year and he wore 36) Solbach came into the game 0-1 and only because he gave up 3 runs in his last start, the bullpen blew the game out of the water and the TY were never able to score enough to catch up and bail him out. Tonight Solbach was nothing but lights out. In his 5 innings pitched he only allowed 2 hits, 1BB and 6 strikeouts. He was followed by Chase Whitley who pitched the final 2 innings, allowed 1 hit and struck out 2 with no walks.
Scorecard for the Thresher batters
The TY offense woke up for this game which I was glad to see. Walter Ibarra hit a home run in the first inning which if im not mistaken, actually gave the TY their first lead of the entire homestand. The TY got a few singles(yay for hits) but weren't able to string anything together until the 4th inning. Taylor Grote opened the inning with a walk, he moved to 3rd on a single to deep right center by Mitch Abeita. Kevin Mahoney laid down a perfect bunt to bring Grote home, the bunt was so good that the Clearwater 3rd baseman didnt try to handle it but was waiting for it to roll foul, it never did which allowed Grote to score, Abeita to move to 2nd and Mahoney to be safe on 1st. Hector Rabago tried for another bunt, he moved the runners up but got thrown out. Abe Almonte singled which brought home Abeita. Things got a little funky when Walter Ibarra hit a sac fly to deep right field. Kevin Mahoney tagged up and scored but the umps ruled that Abe Almonte passed 2nd base and ran back to 1st without retouching 2nd so when the ball got back to the infield the 1st baseman touched 1st and it was ruled that Ibarra hit into a sacrifice double play. They still counted the run I think because Mahoney crossed the plate before the Clearwater 1B touched 1st for the second half of the DP. The players all started walking off the field and we were sitting there wondering why they were leaving the field with just 2 outs. It was all very confusing. The TY didn't score anymore runs after that inning but those 3 runs and Walter Ibarra's homer in the 1st were enough to win the game. The TY outhit Clearwater in the 2nd game 10-3 and won the game 4-0. Michael Solbach got a well deserved win.
Scorecard for the Tampa batters
During the game they do between inning games and giveaways. While we were waiting for the 2nd game to start, Jessica, who does the in game activities, came over to us and asked if we wanted to participate in any of the games. They have one sponsored by Village Health Market where you just have to sit there and if the pitcher strikes out one batter in the 3rd inning, you win a prize. That sounded easy enough so I signed up for that and wouldn't you know, Troy Hanzawa, the Taylor Grote of the Threshers was up that innings, Solbach struck him out to lead off the inning and I won a free smoothie(coupon) from Village Health Market and 2 tickets to the game on May 7th. Since I have season tickets, I obviously dont need them but I am going to see if my 4 year old friend at work will want them.
Overall it was a good evening, I enjoyed taking score of the game though it was a lot harder than I thought. When I got home I went on the TY website and compared what I had with the official recap and I did pretty good, just a few mistakes. I'll probably try it a few more times so hopefully I can get better.
The TY ended their homestand 1-6 which is not ideal but it felt good to see them finally get a W. Also good to see that Rob Lyerly make a great throw on a ball in foul territory behind the 3rd base line in game 1, strong accurate throw in time to get the runner. I am starting to think he is remembering to bring his glove out onto the field with him now. The TY now head on a weeklong road trip. They will be facing the 1st place Daytona Cubs for the next 3 games and then head over to Clearwater for 3 more. The TY is back home next Tuesday.
**Click on the pictures for a zoomed in view of the scorecards. Depending on your computer, clicking on the zoomed in picture again will make it actually readable**
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