TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — J.T. Etheridge struck out six over five one-hit innings as the Tampa Tarpons beat the Dunedin Blue Jays 5-3 on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in the opener of a doubleheader at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Etheridge allowed one hit and no earned runs to improve to 10-3. Miguel Pantoja took the loss after allowing two earned runs in 3 1/3 innings, falling to 0-1.

Dunedin took a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Anthony Potestio answered in the fourth with a two-run homer that scored Wilberson De Pena and gave Tampa a 2-1 edge. Tampa extended the lead in the sixth on Tyce Armstrong’s solo homer, then Diego Castellanos hit a two-run homer to bring home Luke Pettitte and make it 5-1.

Jake Bennett pulled Dunedin within 5-3 in the seventh with a two-run homer, scoring Aldo Gaxiola. Tampa had seven hits, while Dunedin had three. The Tarpons grounded into two double plays. Attendance was 7,769 and the game lasted 1:42. Tampa improved to 76-50; Dunedin dropped to 62-68.