Clearwater Clinches Both Halves with 2-1 Win
September 6, 2015 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Clearwater Threshers emerged as the winner of both halves in the Florida State League North, locking down the title with a 2-1 victory over the Dunedin Blue Jays in the regular-season finale at Bright House Field.
Clearwater clinched the first-half by completing a sweep of Daytona on June 24, and on Sunday wrapped up regular-season play with a 42-25 second-half record to earn the honor of second-half champions as well.
At 79-58, the Threshers finished with the best overall record in the Florida State League.
Jesmuel Valentin went yard for Clearwater, ripping his first home run of the season in the third inning to provide all the offense the Threshers would need on Sunday.
The Blue Jays (29-39) had struck first on a Boomer Collins home run in the second inning, grabbing a 1-0 lead against Matt Imhof.
Imhof settled in from there. The Threshers lefty limited Dunedin to just the lone run on three hits and did not issue a walk in five innings, while matching a season-high with seven strikeouts.
Down 1-0, Malquin Canelo led off the third inning with a single up the middle off starter Jeremy Gabryszwski (9-8). After Jose Antequera dropped down a sacrifice bunt, Valentin worked a full count and launched the payoff pitch onto the berm in right to lift the Threshers to the 2-1 lead.
Victor Arano picked up right where Imhof had left off, delivering three near-perfect innings in relief.
Arano permitted only an infield single to Matt Dean in the sixth across three scoreless frames. The right-hander set down the final seven men he faced in order.
Miguel Nunez secured the final two outs of the ninth before a walk and a single placed the tying run in scoring position. Nunez then induced a fly ball to left off the bat of Ian Parmley to end the ballgame, earning his eighth save in as many tries.
After an off-day on Monday, the Threshers begin the Florida State League North Championship series at Daytona on Tuesday with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. Ricardo Pinto (9-2) will take the hill against Amir Garrett (9-7), and the call can be heard live on the Threshers Broadcast Network starting at 6:50 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now as Clearwater will host Daytona in game two of the Florida State League North Championship series on Wednesday, September 9 at 7 p.m. Fans can purchase seats here, at the Threshers Box Office, or by calling 727-467-4457.
Florida State League Stories from September 6, 2015
- 'Tugas Enter Playoffs on 5-Game Win Streak - Daytona Tortugas
- T-Yanks Fall in Season Finale, 3-2 - Tampa Yankees
- Marauders Close Season with Win - Bradenton Marauders
- Clearwater Clinches Both Halves with 2-1 Win - Clearwater Threshers
- Crabs Take Season Finale, 5-1, at Hammond Stadium - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Mets Finish Season with 6-2 Loss to Marauders - St. Lucie Mets
- D-Jays Lead Short Lived in 6-1 Loss to Threshers - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Threshers to Attack Tortugas in Playoffs - Clearwater Threshers
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