Threshers Sweep Flying Tigers in Season Finale
August 31, 2014 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
LAKELAND, Fla. - Mark Leiter, Jr. pitched seven strong innings in the Clearwater Threshers' season ending, 3-1 victory over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Sunday afternoon at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Leiter (4-5) allowed a run in the first, but that would be the only blemish on his stat line. Over the course of his outing, the righty allowed just four hits and a walk, while striking out seven. The 23-year-old retired the last 13 batters he faced before being removed to start the eighth.
Corey Bass gave the Threshers the lead in the third inning when he launched the first pitch he saw over the left-field fence to give his team a 2-1 advantage.
Clearwater (32-38) would tack on another run in the fifth to add some insurance to its lead.
After Roman Quinn was hit by a pitch with one out, he stole his 32nd base of the season to move into scoring position. Tommy Collier (3-3) would try a pickoff attempt of the speedster at second, but the ball got away from shortstop Jared Reaves, allowing Quinn to advance to third.
Herlis Rodriguez then blooped a single into shallow center, past a drawn in infield, to bring in Quinn from third.
Rodriguez wrapped up the 2014 season on a tear, finishing with a six-game hitting streak, while putting up multi-hit performances in five of those outings.
Quinn reached base three times Sunday afternoon, going 1-for-2 in the season finale. The centerfielder went 4-for-6 over the course of the final three games of 2014.
Ethan Stewart took over for Leiter in the eighth and picked up where his starter left off.
The lefty struck out the first man he faced in Michael Thomas before allowing a single to Chad Wright. Stewart would then get Harold Castro to pop out to first and Curt Powell to fly out to center to end the inning.
Ulises Joaquin came on in the ninth to pick up his eighth save of the season for the Threshers.
After setting down the first two men he faced, Joaquin gave up a single to Reaves. Lance Durham stepped up as the tying run, but would ground out to Chris Serritella at first to end the game.
The Threshers' bullpen dominated the Flying Tigers over the weekend set, working 7.2 scoreless innings while striking out nine.
The Clearwater Threshers will take a few months off before they kick off the 2015 season against the Dunedin Blue Jays on Apr. 9. The season opener will take place at Bright House Field, and is slated for a 7 p.m. start.
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