David McCann drove in six runs as the Tampa Tarpons swept both games of a doubleheader against the Clearwater Threshers on July 11 at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Tampa won the opener 8-6 after trailing 6-1 through two innings before taking the nightcap 5-3. Tyler Boudreau earned the win in the second game after allowing one run on two hits over six innings and striking out four.
Tampa rallies in opener
Clearwater took a 6-1 lead after two innings, with Luis Puello producing Tampa’s lone run on an RBI double. The Tarpons began their comeback in the third inning when McCann drove in Puello with a single before another run scored on a productive double play, cutting the deficit to 6-3.
Tampa completed the comeback in the fourth inning with two home runs. Hans Montero hit a two-run home run to pull the Tarpons within one, and McCann followed with a three-run home run that gave Tampa an 8-6 lead.
Parker Seay improved to 4-0 after relieving Sabier Marte and throwing 2.1 scoreless innings. Brian Hendry and Austin Breedlove then combined for 3.0 scoreless innings in relief to preserve the opener.
Boudreau helps secure nightcap
Tampa scored first in the second game when Jackson Lovich singled and scored on Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek’s sacrifice fly. Boudreau kept Clearwater off the board through the first five innings and earned the win after allowing one run on two hits over six innings while striking out four.
The Tarpons added three runs in the fifth inning. Hans Montero singled to begin the inning, Martin-Grudzielanek drew a walk and McCann followed with a two-run double to left. Brando Mayea advanced McCann to third with a groundout before Ediel Rivera delivered a two-out RBI single to make it 4-0.
Clearwater scored on a two-out solo home run in the sixth, but Lovich answered with a leadoff home run in the bottom half to restore Tampa’s four-run advantage. Greysen Carter allowed two runs in the seventh before retiring Jonathan Hogart on a deep fly ball to center field with the bases loaded, securing the 5-3 victory.
The Tampa Tarpons will wrap up their six-game set against the Clearwater Threshers the following afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
Source: Original report