Hans Montero hit two home runs and drove in four runs as the Tampa Tarpons defeated the Lakeland Flying Tigers 10-7 Tuesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Newly promoted Wilberson De Peña also homered on the first pitch he saw in his Tampa debut. The series-opening victory gave Tampa an early lead that held despite a late Lakeland rally.
De Peña had recently captured the Florida Complex League Triple Crown and is identified as the Yankees’ No. 17 prospect. His first-pitch home run over the left-field wall helped ignite a five-run first inning. Yostin Peña followed with a triple before Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek drove him home with an RBI double.
Montero then hit a two-run homer to right-center field, and Brando Mayea capped the inning with a solo home run. The Tampa Tarpons added another run in the second inning when Yostin Peña hit an RBI single that scored Wilberson De Peña. Tampa led 6-0 after two innings.
Edinzo Marquez made his first appearance of the season for the Tampa Tarpons and earned the victory. He pitched 4.0 innings in relief, allowed one run and struck out eight batters. Lakeland scored on a solo home run in the fifth inning before Tampa answered in the sixth.
Dax Kilby hit a two-run double that scored Luis Escudero and Ediel Rivera, pushing Tampa’s lead to 8-1. Montero hit his second home run of the night in the seventh inning, a two-run shot that gave the Tampa Tarpons their largest lead at 10-1. Lakeland mounted a late rally with three home runs in the ninth inning, but Tampa held on for the victory.
The Tampa Tarpons and Lakeland Flying Tigers were scheduled to play again Wednesday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. First pitch was scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
Source: Original report