Early Deficit Too Much to Overcome in Loss to Miracle
July 2, 2019 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Clearwater Threshers fell behind early and could not overcome a five-run deficit in an 8-5 loss to the Fort Myers Miracle on Tuesday night at Spectrum Field. The Threshers have dropped the first two in the series and are half a game back of the Dunedin Blue Jays in the Florida State League North in the second half.
Fort Myers (44-37, 5-10) started things off early against Andrew Brown (2-5) in the first. Three straight singles loaded the bases for Ryan Jeffers, who's two-run double gave the visitors a 2-0 lead. Brown surrendered three more runs in the frame and exited with just two outs recorded. Tyler Carr entered to finish up the opening inning and retired Gabriel Maciel to end the five-run frame.
The offense got one back in the first against Miracle right-hander Jhoan Duran with Nick Maton's run-scoring groundout to make it 5-1. Duran would struggle again in the third as singles from Muzziotti and Maton to cut Clearwater's deficit to 5-3.
The Threshers could not figure out the hard throwing Johan Quezada (3-1) in the middle frames, who picked up the win with 3.1 frames of one-run ball. With the Threshers trailing 6-3 in the seventh, Quezada allowed an infield hit to Rodolfo Duran and exited for Derek Molina (SV, 1). With Molina in, Matt Kroon doubled Duran home. Two batters later, Matt Vierling's sacrifice fly to right to shrunk the Miracle lead to 6-5.
The Miracle continued to hit against the Threshers' bullpen, with home runs from Trey Cabbage and Maciel to increase the lead back to three. Molina worked around a single in the ninth to pick up his first save of 2019.
The Philadelphia Phillies affiliate picked up multi-hit performances from Muzziotti, Maton and Duran despite the loss. Muzziotti and Maton each recorded their 20th multi-hit efforts of 2019. The Threshers dropped to 1-7 against the Minnesota Twins affiliate.
Clearwater looks to avoid the sweep in the finale of the three-game set against Fort Myers on Wednesday night at Spectrum Field. It is yet to be determined who will start for the Threshers against Miracle RHP Edwar Colina (3-2, 3.09). First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m. on Threshers Live The Pregame Show! at threshersbaseball.com.
Wednesday's game features the second round of Independence Day Fireworks Celebration presented by Budweiser. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game.
Florida State League Stories from July 2, 2019
- Homers Hamper Tortugas in 9-2 Defeat - Daytona Tortugas
- Early Deficit Too Much to Overcome in Loss to Miracle - Clearwater Threshers
- Smith, Franco Lead Stone Crabs Past St. Lucie 9-3 - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Big First Inning Holds Up In 8-5 Win - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Stone Crabs Even Series vs. Mets with 9-3 Win - St. Lucie Mets
- Inciarte Ignites Third-Inning Rally in Setback to Dunedin, 11-3 - Florida Fire Frogs
- 2019 Flying Tigers First Half Recap - Lakeland Flying Tigers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
