Hutchison Strikes Out A-Rod Twice, Jays Lose

In front of one of the biggest crowds of the year Saturday (Aug. 13), the Tampa Yankees defeated the D-Jays 7-2.

D-Jays pitcher Drew Hutchison, 20, was unfazed by the mighty Alex Rodriguez. He struck the New York Yankees All-Star out twice with a nasty slider before walking him on a 3-2 pitch in the sixth.

Rodriguez, batting as the designated hitter, would ground out in the seventh before leaving the game.

Hutchison questionably has been the best starter among an excellent crop of D-Jays starters this season.

The Lakeland native worked six complete innings, allowed three earned runs on five hits and struck out nine.

Shortstop Ryan Goins doubled and tripled to score both runs. The outstanding defensive player improved his batting average to .284.

On Deck: Dunedin and Tampa complete their three-game series today (Aug. 14). First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m at .

The D-Jays will be off on Monday before starting a two game series in Clearwater.

Notes:

• The D-Jays started Willie Collazo on Friday, an 11-year Minor League veteran rehabbing from Las Vegas Triple-A. It marked the first start by a left-handed pitcher this season in 117 games. 
• The Gulf Coast Braves rallied for six runs with two out in the ninth to defeat the Gulf Coast Blue Jays 8-6.
• The D-Jays got a quality start from the 61st pick overall in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft Griffin Murphy. The 20-year-old lefthander struckout six while issuing just one walk in five complete innings.