TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons dug themselves an early hole and couldn't recover, falling 9-3 to the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Thursday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Lakeland struck first in the opening inning after an error extended the frame, with Nolan McCarthy lining an RBI double into center to give the Flying Tigers a 1-0 lead.
The score remained there until the fourth, when Zach MacDonald launched a two-run home run to left-center, stretching Lakeland's advantage to 3-0.
The Flying Tigers added three more runs in the fifth inning, capitalizing on three hits and three walks to push the lead to 6-0. J.T. Etheridge was charged with six runs—five earned—over four-plus innings while striking out six.
Greysen Carter entered in relief and limited the damage, allowing just one hit and two walks over two innings of work. Lakeland pulled away in the seventh, hitting back-to-back solo home runs before Enderson Delgado added an RBI single, extending the lead to 9-0.
The Tarpons finally broke through in the bottom of the eighth. Luis Escudero reached after being hit by a pitch before Brando Mayea singled to put two aboard. A Lakeland fielding error allowed Escudero and Mayea to score, and Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek followed with an RBI double to left, trimming the deficit to 9-3.
Martin-Grudzielanek finished 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI, while David McCann also recorded a multi-hit night, going 2-for-4 with two singles.
The Tarpons will look to bounce back Friday night as they continue their series against the Flying Tigers at GMS Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.