FSL1 Clearwater Threshers

Threshers Thrash Cardinals 7-3 Monday

Published on May 6, 2013 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release


JUPITER (Monday, May 6) -The Clearwater Threshers romped to a 7-3 victory over the host Palm Beach Cardinals Monday morning in an early game in front of 1,281 fans at Roger Dean Stadium.

The Threshers (15-15) made their way back to .500 behind a terrific pitching performance from starter Nick Hernandez (3-1). The Cardinals (15-16) led in the early going, but Clearwater surged in front of them within the first five innings and never looked back.

Palm Beach opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Nick Longmire led off with a single against Hernandez, and Colin Walsh powered a 1-1 fastball over the left field wall for a two-run homer. The round-tripper put the Cardinals ahead 2-0 after the first inning.

Clearwater evened things up in the bottom of the third against Palm Beach starter Jonathan Cornelius (0-1). Center fielder Kyrell Hudson led off with a single that ricocheted off Cornelius into shallow right field, and second baseman Carlos Alonso followed with his own single through the right side. Left fielder Aaron Altherr dropped down a sacrifice bunt, advancing the runners to second and third with one out. Right fielder Kelly Dugan lined a single to right, plating Hudson and moving Alonso to third. Third baseman Maikel Franco elevated a fly ball to left for a sacrifice fly, allowing Alonso to score and tie the ballgame at 2-2.

The Threshers moved ahead in the top of the fifth inning. Hudson dropped down a bunt single to lead off the inning, and swiped second base. Alonso hit a hopper to Ronny Gil at short, but the throw to cut down Hudson at third was errant and went into the Threshers' dugout. The error scored Hudson and advanced Alonso to second base. After a strikeout from Altherr, Dugan singled to left, with Alonso reaching third on the play with two outs. Palm Beach manager Johnny Rodriguez brought in lefty Iden Nazario to face Franco, who lofted a sacrifice fly to center. Alonso scored, making it a 4-2 lead for the Threshers.

Clearwater tacked on a few more runs in the top of the seventh inning. Alonso drew a one-out walk, and advanced to second base on a wild pitch by Nazario. Altherr slammed a 2-1 breaking ball over the left field fence for a two-run homer, his fourth blast of the season. Dugan then singled to chase Nazario from the game, to be replaced by righty Heath Wyatt. After Franco fanned for the second out, designated hitter Cameron Perkins pounded a triple past Stephen Piscotty in right field. Dugan scored, making it a 7-2 lead for the Threshers.

Palm Beach drew a little closer in the bottom of the eighth inning against Threshers reliever Mario Hollands. Walsh drew a one-out walk, and Piscotty singled to left, putting runners on first and second with one away. After Cody Stanley struck out swinging, Danny Stienstra lined a single past shortstop Jose Mojica into center field, scoring Walsh and making it a 7-3 game. Hollands got Anthony Garcia to pop out to end the threat and finish the frame, and Palm Beach never got any closer.

Hernandez earned the victory, allowing just two runs on four hits and a walk over six innings. He notched nine strikeouts, representing a new season-high for any Threshers hurler. Colby Shreve threw a scoreless inning of relief, allowing one walk. Hollands surrendered a run on two hits and a walk over two innings, fanning one.

Cornelius was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits and a walk over 4.1 innings, with three strikeouts. Nazario ave up three runs on two hits and a walk in his two innings of relief, recording a pair of strikeouts. Wyatt gave up two hits and a walk over 2.2 innings, allowing an inherited runner to score.

The Threshers will look for a third straight win Tuesday night, with southpaw Hoby Milner getting the start for Clearwater against Palm Beach lefty Tim Cooney. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., with Ben Gellman's pregame show starting at 6:20 p.m. on ThreshersBaseball.com.

Check out the Clearwater Threshers Statistics

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