Sports
Jays Sweep Manatees, Grab Share Of First Place
The Jays host the Yankees tonight (Friday) in the North Division race for first place.
A Ryan Goins walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning produced a 7-6 D-Jays victory in the first of two games Thursday (Aug. 11).
The Jays rallied from three down early. Then, forced extra innings with a single run in the seventh.
Slugging outfielder Brad Glenn highlighted a three-run third with a two-run homer. It was the Arizona alum's 23rd round tripper of the year, tops in the Florida State League.
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In the nightcap, the Jays opened a three-run, first-inning lead thanks to a pair of doubles (courtesy Kevin Ahrens and Sean Ochinko) and cruised to a 9-3 win.
Brian Van Kirk hit his 13th home run of the year in the third. Leadoff hitter Brad McElroy had a sensational three-game series going 8-12. He raised his batting average to .289.
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The twin sweep of the Manatees created a three-way, North Division tie for first between Dunedin, Clearwater and Tampa.
On Deck: Tampa and Dunedin square off in a crucial three-game series beginning toay (Aug. 12). First pitch at is set for 7 p.m.
Notes:
- New York Yankees All-Star third baseman Alex Rodriguez is rumored to be joining the Tampa Yankees for two of the three games this weekend.
- The D-Jays righthanded pitcher Nestor Molina has been promoted to Double-A New Hampshire, joining 2011 Dunedin pitchers Chad Jenkins, Frank Gailey and Deck McGuire.
- The Gulf Coast Blue Jays split a doubleheader with the Gulf Coast Tigers on Thursday, losing 2-1 and winning 3-2. Seth Conner, 19, had a terrific day at the plate. He went 5-7 with a triple, a double and a walk to improve his batting average to .291.
