Comeback Falls Short in Lakeland Opener
August 22, 2023 - Florida State League (FSL)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
LAKELAND, FL - The Clearwater Threshers (74-40, 30-19) had the go-ahead runner on first in the ninth, but couldn't complete the comeback and dropped the series-opening game 6-5 against the Lakeland Flying Tigers (58-56, 32-17) at Joker Marchant Stadium on Tuesday night. The Threshers look for their first win in Lakeland as they return to face the Flying Tigers on Wednesday evening.
Zach Arnold singled off Lakeland starter Tanner Kohlhepp in the first inning and stole second base. Ricardo Rosario drew a two-out walk and both runners scored on a double by Dakota Kotowski that put the Threshers ahead 2-0 to start off the ballgame.
With two outs in the second inning, JD McLaughlin hit a grand slam and Seth Stephenson followed with a solo shot as the back-to-back homers put the Flying Tigers up 5-2. Lakeland added another run on a bases-loaded walk in the third to extend their lead to 6-2.
Felix Reyes chipped away at the Lakeland lead with a solo homer in the sixth off Lakeland's reliever Edgardo Ibarra that cut the deficit to 6-3. William Bergolla led off the seventh with a walk and moved to second on a Ryan Leitch single. Chad Castillo was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Emaarion Boyd hit a sacrifice fly to right to score Bergolla and cut the deficit to 6-4.
Raylin Heredia reached on an error by Lakeland third baseman Cristian Santana to start off the ninth and moved to second on a wild pitch by Lakeland reliever Max Alba. He advanced to third on a single by Leitch and scored on another error by Santana that put the Threshers within one. The next two batters were retired, however, and the Threshers comeback fell short at 6-5.
Giussepe Velásquez (1-1) allowed six runs on six hits in 2.2 innings, walking four and striking out two but took the loss. Saul Teran tossed 2.1 perfect frames, striking out four of the seven batters he faced. Danny Wilkinson threw 2.0 scoreless innings with one hit and two walks allowed and three strikeouts. Daniel Harper allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth.
Wilkinson has not allowed a run in his last 13 outings...He has thrown 22.0 consecutive scoreless innings...Kotowski's first at-bat as a Thresher was a two-RBI double in the first...Castillo has recorded a hit in five straight games...Bergolla has reached base in each of his last 15 games...Rosario recorded his 15th multi-hit game of the season...The Threshers continue their road trip against the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Wednesday, August 22... First pitch is at 6:30 pm... You can purchase tickets for Threshers games at ThreshersBaseball.com/tickets or by calling 727-467-4457.
Florida State League Stories from August 22, 2023
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