Clearwater Pitching Dazzles in Series Clinching Win over Jupiter
Published on June 6, 2019 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Another strong performance from the pitching staff lifted the Clearwater Threshers to a 2-1 win over the Jupiter Hammerheads to take three of four in the series at Spectrum Field. The victory for the Philadelphia Phillies' affiliate kept them within 4.5 games of first place in the Florida State League North with seven games to play.
Ethan Evanko (3-1) gave the Threshers (32-28) everything they needed right from the start. The southpaw needed just seven pitches to set down Jupiter (18-39) in the first. He continued to deal after that, retiring his next 15 batters while picking up five strikeouts. Evanko mixed his changeup and curveball to induce eight ground-ball outs through the first five frames.
Clearwater's offense battled against Jupiter lefty Will Stewart (1-6) and his tough fastball. The Threshers picked up one hit through the first four frames, but broke through in the fifth. After Colby Fitch walked and stole second, Matt Kroon picked up his eighth RBI with a hit up the middle to give Clearwater a 1-0 lead. In the sixth, Madison Stokes drilled his seventh home-run to left off Stewart to make it 2-0.
Evanko retired the first two he faced in the seventh before allowing giving up a home-run to Nick Fortes. The 23-year old worked around two more hits by striking out Isael Soto and keeping the lead at 2-1.
The lefty earned his second consecutive quality start after seven outstanding frames with one run and six strikeouts. The Gilbert, Ariz. native picked up his third overall win and his second against the Miami Marlins' affiliate. The performance pushed the Philadelphia Phillies' affiliate's quality start total to 20 in 2019.
After Evanko's exit, southpaw Keylan Killgore made his second appearance in the series. The Wichita State product pitched the final two frames with just one hit allowed while punching out four. Killgore earned his sixth overall save and second in the series. Jupiter's offense struck out nine times against Killgore in his two appearances.
With the two teams meeting for the final time, the Threshers finished 7-1 against the Miami Marlins affiliate in 2019. Clearwater outscored Jupiter 14-11 in the four-game series while taking three games. Clearwater finished their seven game homestand 4-3 and won their 15th game at Spectrum Field in 30 tries.
Clearwater travels to Daytona for their final road series of the first half in a three-game set at Jackie Robinson Ballpark starting Friday night. It is yet to be determined who will start for either team in the series opener. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:50 on Threshers Live! The Pregame Show at threshersbaseball.com.
Florida State League Stories from June 6, 2019
- Fort Myers Flames out Florida's Furious Flurry, 7-4 - Florida Fire Frogs
- Marauders Mangle Tortugas, 7-4, in Finale - Daytona Tortugas
- Clearwater Pitching Dazzles in Series Clinching Win over Jupiter - Clearwater Threshers
- Diaz And Balazovic Help Miracle Earn Series Split - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Crabs Comeback Falls Inches Short in 8-7 Loss - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Fireworks, Giveaways Galore for Tortugas over the Weekend - Daytona Tortugas
- Marauders Kick off Three Game Homestand - Bradenton Marauders
- Dunedin Struggles Offensively in Loss to Charlotte - Dunedin Blue Jays
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