Martin Smashes 9th Homer in 5-4 Loss
June 27, 2016 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Kyle Martin blasted a three-run bomb to right in the sixth inning, but the Threshers could not fend off a late Daytona rally as the Tortugas took the second game of the set, 5-4 in ten innings on Monday night.
Martin's ninth home run of the season broke a one-all tie and put Clearwater (4-1) up by three in the sixth. Daytona (3-2) plated four unanswered the rest of the way, handing the Threshers their first loss when leading after eight innings this year. Clearwater had previously been 37-0 when ahead after eight.
The Threshers are now 6-2 against the Tortugas, and seven of the eight contests have been decided by three runs or less.
After permitting a run in the first inning, Shane Watson worked his way through five scoreless to exit in line for the win.
Watson scattered six hits and a walk across his six innings, throwing 58 of his 86 pitches for strikes.
Down 1-0, Chace Numata drew a leadoff walk to open the home half of the fifth. An out later, Jiandido Tromp rocketed a double to the warning track in center for his first extra-base hit as a Thresher, tying the game at one.
Tromp would finish 2-for-4 with a pair of two-baggers in his fourth game in a Threshers uniform.
Scott Kingery and Mitch Walding kicked off the sixth inning with back-to-back infield singles, setting the stage for Martin. The Threshers first baseman turned on a 1-1 pitch and crushed a no-doubter down the right field line, giving Clearwater a 4-1 lead on his ninth longball of the season.
Daytona began to scrape back in the seventh.
Gavin LaValley doubled and Aristides Aquino tripled off Joe DeNato, and Tanner Rahier's sac fly against Ulises Joaquin (0-1) brought Daytona to within one.
It was Brian O'Grady who tied it in the ninth, a one-out, solo homer that brought the teams even at four apiece. Aquino opened the tenth with an infield hit, Rahier singled to left, and after failing to drop down a bunt Garrett Boulware swung away and stung a single to center to give the Tortugas the lead.
Clearwater and Daytona will face off in the rubber match on Tuesday, as John Richy (2-2) takes the mound against Ismael Guillon (1-2). First pitch is at 7 p.m., and the action can be heard live on the Threshers Broadcast Network starting at 6:45 p.m.
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Florida State League Stories from June 27, 2016
- Miracle Fall 11-10 in Slugfest at Bradenton - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Boulware Caps Comeback Win Monday - Daytona Tortugas
- Martin Smashes 9th Homer in 5-4 Loss - Clearwater Threshers
- Marauders Hold off Fort Myers 11-10 - Bradenton Marauders
- Yankees Sweep DH as Rogers, Acevedo Blank Manatees - Tampa Yankees
- Mets Thrash Hammerheads 17-0 - St. Lucie Mets
- Tarpley Earns FSL Pitcher of the Week Honors - Bradenton Marauders
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