In the end it looks like a fifth consecutive rain out may have been better.

The offense got a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a Dominic Brown RBI single to drive in Javis Diaz, and that was the last time the Threshers would have any hope. The Yankees came back with two in the bottom of the frame to take a lead, and never looked back.

I hate (really don’t) to admit I went to Brighthose Field to see the USF Bulls play in the Big East Championship.

Does that make me bad?<BR
I hope not.

Chris Kissock picked up the SCHMIDT LIST player of the game award for striking out the only batter be faced in the game.

The offense picked up a run in the first inning when Dominic Brown doubled and scored on a Tim Kennelly single, and then added another run in the second via a Joel Naughton long ball.

Kyle Drabek meanwhile did his best to assure a Threshers victory by holding the Yanks hitless through the first five frames while fanning seven and walking just one. Unfortunately things kind of fell apart for Drabek in the sixth inning when the Yankees started off the inning with three singles and a walk before Drabek could record an out. The Yanks would add a three run triple before ending their at-bat, and suddenly the Threshers found themselves behind 4-2.

Just like the previous evening the Threshers saw an early lead evaporate, and the offense was all too quiet over the final few innings to get out of the hole and salvage the game. The team did mount a rally in the ninth to pick up one run and cut their deficit to 4-3, but it proved to be too little as they fell in the end.

The last place Yankees had bested them again and taken a 2-0 series lead with the series finale on Sunday afternoon.

the SCHMIDT LIST player of the game award.

The Tampa Yankees and Clearwater Threshers concluded their series on Sunday afternoon with the Yankees concluding their sweep of the sharks. Things looked good for thei Threshers most of the game with their offense looking lively for the first time in the series.

Sadly it was the pitching, specifically that of the bullpen that would let the game slip away. The Threshers carried a 7-4 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning, and then all hell broke loose. Darren Byrd went out for his second inning of relief in the eighth after looking solid in the seventh. Again he looked good getting two quick outs, but after a walk and a single he was lifted in favor of the lefty Dan Brauer.

Brauer gave up a walk and a single of his own to plate the Yanks fifth run and leave bases loaded without recording an out which brought the third pitcher of the inning Michael Schwimer to the mound.

Schwimer has looked good for the team so far this year, but Sunday was his daycertainly not his day. The first three he faced would get a walk, a ground rule double, and a home run to completely erase all of the Threshers offensive work, and put the Yanks up 11-7.

The offense would end the ninth inning going down in oreder, and the team limped back to Clearwater having been swept by the last place Yankees.

THe team is off on Monday for Memorial Day, and then begins a their first series of the season with the Charlotte Stone Crabs. This will be the Crabs first ever trip to Brighthouse field as they are the newest addition to the Florida State League. The Tampa Bay Rays affiliate moved to a new stadium in Port Charlotte just this year, so we’ll look forward to the matchup.

On a side note:

Michael Durant picked up the SCHMIDT LIST player of the game award. He was 3-4 at the plate with a home run, a double, four RBIs, and two runs scored in the losing effort.