Bortka's Six Strikeouts Help Threshers to Comeback Win
July 19, 2023 - Florida State League (FSL)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
CLEARWATER, FL - Josh Bortka struck out six of the 12 batters he faced as the Clearwater Threshers (58-27, 14-6) came back from an early 2-0 deficit to beat the Tampa Tarpons (42-44, 11-9) 8-7 at BayCare Ballpark on Wednesday afternoon. The Threshers and Tarpons continue their series on Thursday night in Clearwater.
The Tarpons scored two runs in the first for the second-straight night. Ricardo Rosario was hit on the first pitch thrown by Tampa Starter Justin Lange. He stole second and later scored on an RBI double by Felix Reyes that halved the Tarpons lead. Jordan Dissin singled and Chad Castillo cleared the bases with a three-run home run that put the Threshers ahead 4-2.
Tampa answered with a two-run homer and an RBI double in the top of the second to retake the lead at 5-4. On the second pitch of the home half of the inning, Troy Schreffler tied the game at five with a leadoff home run.
Matt Alifano singled to start off the bottom of the fourth and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Schreffler walked and Alifano went to third on a wild pitch. With two outs in the inning, Reyes drove the first pitch thrown by Tarpons reliever Matt Keating into right field to score Alifano and give the Threshers a 6-5 lead.
Two more runs swung the lead in Tampa's favor in the fifth, with two bases-loaded walks giving the Tarpons a 7-6 lead. Jordan Viars reached on a one-out double in the sixth and scored on a single by Reyes to tie the game at seven. After Adam Stone came on to pitch for the Tarpons in the seventh, he hit Cade Fergus with his second pitch of the day. Fergus stole second and scored on an RBI single by Alifano that put the Threshers ahead 8-7.
An error and a walk put two on for the Tarpons in the ninth, but Braeden Fausnaught came on and retired the two batters he faced for the save that sealed an 8-7 victory for the Threshers.
Samuel Aldegheri allowed five runs on four hits with six walks and four strikeouts in 4.0 innings in a no-decision. Nathan Karaffa allowed two runs on one hit in 1.0 inning with four walks and two strikeouts. Bortka (1-0) earned the win in 3.1 shutout innings with one walk and six strikeouts without allowing a hit. Fausnaught earned the save with a strikeout in the final 0.2 innings.
Bortka's win was his first of the season...Fausnaught earned the first save of his career...Reyes tied his career-high with three hits...Two of Schreffler's three home runs this season have tied the game for the Threshers...Alifano recorded two hits for the second-straight game...Castillo tied his career-high with three RBIs...He extended his on-base streak to 15 games...Every batter for the Threshers reached base at least once...The Threshers continue their homestand against the Tampa Tarpons (Yankees, A) on Thursday, July 20th... First pitch is at 6:30 pm EST... You can purchase tickets for Threshers games at ThreshersBaseball.com/tickets or by calling 727-467-4457.
Florida State League Stories from July 19, 2023
- Errors, Free Passes Prove Costly for Mussels in 9-6 Loss to Marauders - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Marauders Overcome Early Deficit to Win Sixth Straight - Bradenton Marauders
- Bortka's Six Strikeouts Help Threshers to Comeback Win - Clearwater Threshers
- Cardinals Win Suspended Game, Next Game Postponed - St. Lucie Mets
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