Mussels rally late but fall to Tampa in 10
FORT MYERS – The Mighty Mussels erased a two-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth Tuesday, but two fateful plays sunk their chances in a 7-2 loss in 10 innings to Tampa.
Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the ninth, Fort Myers (51-35, 10-12) shortstop Noah Miller drew a leadoff walk. Keoni Cavaco then ripped a single to left to move Miller to second. The next batter was Kala’i Rosario, who grounded a single to center to cut the deficit to 2-1. After a fielder’s choice advanced Cavaco to third, Rubel Cespedes came up to pinch hit. After fighting off several tough pitches, Cespedes chased home Cavaco with a groundout to tie the game 2-2.
John Wilson (0-3), who had tossed two scoreless innings, came back out for the bottom of the 10th. He walked the leadoff man but then got back-to-back outs. Anthony Garcia then drew a walk to load the bases before the Mussels turned to reliever Johnathan Lavallee. Antonio Gomez then launched a ground-rule double to left center which narrowly eluded Rosario’s outstretched glove. With Tampa leading 4-2, Ben Cowles singled up the middle to make it 6-2 before an overthrow allowed Cowles to come all the way around and cap the scoring at 7-2.
Mussels starter Jaylen Nowlin spun a career-high five innings Tuesday, allowing two runs while striking out five. Jackson Hicks then worked two hitless innings before Wilson forced extras.
Fort Myers will look to bounce back during today’s doubleheader, which includes a makeup game from the early July series in Tampa. RHP Pierson Ohl (4-5, 4.37) will pitch Game 1 for the Mussels, opposed by RHP Tyrone Yulie (3-2, 4.19). LHP Jordan Carr (3-0, 3.70) will get the ball for Fort Myers in the night cap, with RHP Yon Castro (2-4, 3.26) going for Tampa. Coverage begins at 4:15 p.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.