The Jupiter Hammerheads fell 7-3 to the Tampa Tarpons on Sunday afternoon at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in the regular-season home finale. Jupiter entered the game with a 23-34 second-half record and a 60-63 overall record, while Tampa entered at 39-18 in the second half and 74-49 overall. Tampa swept the five-game series, marking the first time Jupiter had been swept in a series since July 17-19 at Daytona in three games.
Tampa Builds an Early Lead
Yostin Pena put the Tampa Tarpons ahead 1-0 with an RBI single in the top of the first inning. Blake Schaaf added a sacrifice fly in the second inning after Tampa loaded the bases with no outs, extending the lead to 2-0. Jupiter also loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the second but did not score.
Hamlet Garcia made his first Single-A start and pitched 2 1/3 innings. He allowed two runs, one earned run, three hits and four walks while striking out two batters. Tyce Armstrong hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning, and Pena added a solo home run in the fifth to give Tampa a 4-0 lead.
Jupiter Pulls Within One
The Jupiter Hammerheads scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Eric Guevara drew a leadoff walk and later scored on an RBI single by Luis Arana, who stole third base and scored on a throwing error. Wessley Roberson drew a walk in his professional debut, and Echedry Vargas followed with an RBI double that pulled Jupiter within 4-3.
Tampa answered with three runs in the top of the sixth inning against Jonas Uzcategui. Tyce Armstrong hit an RBI double, and Anthony Potestio later scored after reaching on an error by Jacob Lombard. Potestio then scored on a strikeout after Carlos Sanchez committed a throwing error, giving Tampa a 7-3 lead.
Uzcategui allowed one hit and three runs in the sixth inning before Luis De La Cruz entered to finish the frame. Tampa sent nine batters to the plate and left the bases loaded. Justin West earned his second save after pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out nine hitters.
Jupiter’s Remaining Schedule
The Jupiter Hammerheads will play their final regular-season series on the road against the St. Lucie Mets beginning Tuesday, September 1. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. Jupiter will then meet the Daytona Tortugas in the first round of the Florida State League playoffs.
Game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, at Daytona. Jupiter will host Game 2 on Thursday, September 10, and Game 3, if necessary, on Friday, September 11.
Source: Original report