Threshers Nipped 5-4 in 10 by Tampa
May 18, 2013 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
TAMPA - The Clearwater Threshers were stunned in extras for the second consecutive night, falling 5-4 in ten innings to the Tampa Yankees in front of 3,266 fans at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
The Threshers (21-20) were on the short end of several close calls, and dropped their second straight to the Yankees (17-23). Tampa has now won only three of eight games against Clearwater this season, all three being extra-innings affairs at Steinbrenner Field.
Tampa struck first in the bottom of the third against Clearwater lefty Hoby Milner. Dan Fiorito cracked a leadoff double off the left field fence, advanced to third on a groundout by Saxon Butler, and came home on a sacrifice fly by Jackson Valera. The run put Tampa ahead 1-0.
The Yankees tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth, as Angelo Gumbs singled to lead off the frame. Gumbs swiped second, and moved up to third when catcher Bob Stumpo's throw went astray. After Milner hit Robert Refsnyder with a pinch, Carmen Angelini sliced a single to center that brought home Gumbs, making it 2-0 in favor of the Yankees.
Tampa added more scoring in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs, Mason Williams singled through the left side, stole second, and came home on an RBI single to right by Gumbs, giving Tampa the 3-0 lead.
Clearwater knotted it up in the top of the sixth against Tampa starter Bryan Mitchell. Second baseman Carlos Alonso singled through the right side to lead off, and came home to score when left fielder Aaron Altherr blasted a triple to right. Right fielder Kelly Dugan sliced a single to right, scoring Altherr and making it 3-2. Third baseman Maikel Franco bounced into a 6-4-3 double play for the first two outs, but Mitchell walked designated hitter Cameron Perkins. First baseman Chris Serritella took advantage, bopping a double to left that plated Perkins and made it 3-3.
Tampa moved back ahead in the bottom of the frame. With two outs, Anderson Feliz singled through the middle, and stole second base. Milner walked Fiorito to put runners on first and second, and Feliz raced home on a single through the right side by Butler to put runners on the corners. Milner induced a pop out to right, ending the inning with Tampa ahead 4-3.
Clearwater evened it up again in the top of the eight, as Dugan sliced a leadoff triple to right against reliever Zach Arneson. After a ground out to short kept Dugan at third, Perkins drew a walk to put runners on the corners with one out. Serritella bounced a ball to Angelini that the shortstop booted; Dugan sped home, but Perkins was thrown out at third on a controversial call by umpire James Rackley. Both Perkins and manager Chris Truby were ejected for arguing the call. The Threshers couldn't score again in the inning, leaving it tied 4-4.
In the bottom of the tenth inning, Tampa got the break they needed. Angelo Gumbs sliced a grounder through the middle with one out, and made it to second for a double after shortstop Jose Mojica's dive deflected the ball into center field. Reliever Colton Murray (2-2) intentionally walked Ben Gamel to get to Robert Refsnyder with runners on first and second and one away. Refsnyder grounded to third, but Franco's throw barely drew Alonso off the bag at second. The Threshers retired Refsnyder at first, but left runners at second and third with two outs. That brought up Angelini, who hit a ground ball to third that was ruled fair by inches, scoring Gumbs and giving Tampa the 5-4 win.
Milner took a no-decision, with four runs (three earned) allowed over six innings on seven hits and a walk. He hit one batter and struck out five. Chris Nichols threw two scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit and whiffing one. Murray took the loss with a run allowed on two hits and a walk in 1.2 innings and one strikeout recorded.
Mitchell did not factor into the decision. The righty gave up three runs on seven hits and a pair of walks over six innings, fanning seven. Arneson gave up a run on a hit and two walks in two innings, recording one strikeout. Charlie Short (1-0) got the win, surrendering a single hit over two innings and striking out four.
Clearwater will try to avoid the sweep Sunday at Bright House Field, with righty Perci Garner getting the start for the Threshers against Yankees right-hander Corey Black. t's Sunday Brunch at Bright House Field! Fans can join us for a Brunch Buffet from 12:00 to 2:00 including special entrees and drink specials. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15 and $18 on the day of the event. Gates open at noon and first pitch is at 1 p.m., with the internet pregame show starting at 12:45 p.m. on ThreshersBaseball.com.
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