Tropics fall to Sockers, 4-2, as playoff hopes dim

LAKELAND – The Florida Tropics saw their playoff hopes grow a bit dimmer Friday night when they fell to the visiting San Diego Sockers, 4-2, on SYKES Field and the RP Funding Center.

The Tropics fell to 9-8 on the season, to fall 1 ½ games behind the Syracuse Silver Knights for second place in the eastern division. Syracuse defeated St. Louis Friday night, 7-5.

The Tropics only goals came in the second quarter when Ricardo Diegues and Marco Rodriguez found the back of net. For Diegues, it was his team-leading 21st goal.

San Diego, 15-3, got two goals from Kraig Chiles, his 31st and 32nd of the season, and singles from Hiram Ruiz and Luan Oilveria. Boris Pardo won his eighth of the season and had a save percentage of .867.

The two teams will rematch again Saturday night on SYKES Field at the RP Funding Center in a 7:35 kickoff. The first 500 fans will receive special Tropics T-shirts courtesy of Bond Clinic. Tickets for the game are available www.fltropics.com. The game will be broadcast live at www.masl.tv. It is the home regular season finale for the Tropics for the 2017-18 season.