FSL1 Clearwater Threshers

Eflin Brilliant as Threshers Win Season Opener, 3-1

April 6, 2017 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release


CLEARWATER, Fla. - Zach Eflin twirled five scoreless innings in a rehab appearance, and the Threshers out-dueled the Dunedin Blue Jays in a speedy 3-1 victory at Spectrum Field on Opening Night, presented by Regions Bank.

Threshers pitching combined to hold Dunedin (0-1) to just an unearned run on three hits and a walk while racking up 13 strikeouts in a game that lasted just two hours.

Eflin (1-0) pounded the strike zone, hurling 44 of his 56 pitches for strikes. The right-hander did not allow a run and permitted just one hit in five frames, striking out six. Eflin, who started 11 games for the Phillies a season ago, is working his way back after undergoing surgery on both knees last year.

Clearwater (1-0) broke open the scoring in the fourth inning against lefty Ryan Borucki (0-1).

Borucki faced the minimum through three, and had retired nine straight before an error on third baseman Matt Dean allowed Cornelius Randolph to reach. Damek Tomscha then knocked a check-swing grounder that kicked off the first base bag and into right field for a double, putting two men in scoring position with one out.

Jose Pujols got the Threshers on the board, sneaking a payoff pitch inside the third base line for a two-run double.

An inning later, the Threshers tacked on after Emmanuel Marrero was hit by a pitch with two outs.

Marrero stole second, and Zach Coppola brought him home with a single up the middle to make it 3-0 Clearwater.

Seranthony Dominguez entered in relief of Eflin, and permitted just an unearned run on one hit across two innings of relief. The right-hander reached 98 mph with his fastball, and notched four strikeouts while issuing just one walk.

Jeff Singer finished it off, delivering two scoreless innings while striking out three to earn the save.

Clearwater is back home on Friday, with post-game fireworks and a post-game concert by the Titans of Rock, presented by Leinenkugel. First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m. as Phillies No. 21 prospect Jose Taveras makes his Clearwater debut, opposed by Blue Jays' No. 24 prospect Jordan Romano. The game will be broadcast live on threshersbaseball.com beginning at 6 p.m.

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Florida State League Stories from April 6, 2017


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