FSL1 Clearwater Threshers

Fanti Strikes out Seven in 8-5 Victory

Published on June 8, 2018 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Nick Fanti turned in six innings of one-run ball for the second straight start, and the Threshers offense backed him with plenty of support as Clearwater knocked off the Charlotte Stone Crabs in the series opener, 8-5 on Friday night at Charlotte Sports Park.

Raul Rivas and Luke Williams each finished with a season-high three hits, and Jose Pujols extended his hit streak to a season-high 12 games in the win.

Clearwater (27-32) jumped ahead in the first inning, after Adam Haseley singled and stole second, and Henri Lartigue worked a two-out walk. Pujols came through with a single to right-center to score Haseley, and following a walk to Rivas, Williams brought home two by striking a single to center to make it 3-0.

After Willy Ortiz (4-1) settled in to retire the next nine he faced, Williams reached on an infield single with one down in the fourth. Gabriel Lino followed by ripping a double up the third base line, scoring Williams to make it 4-0.

Fanti (2-2) struck out six through the first three innings and did not allow a hit until the fifth, when the Stone Crabs (26-31) opened the frame with back-to-back singles to put runners at the corners. Kevin Padlo flew out to right, and the throw home from Pujols got loose momentarily behind the plate, causing lead runner Jesus Sanchez to break for home.

Fanti retrieved the carom, and flipped to the catcher Lartigue to nab Sanchez, keeping Charlotte off the board.

The Threshers doubled up their lead in the sixth.

Rivas opened the inning with a single up the middle against reliever Reece Karalus, and with one out, Lino was hit by a pitch. Brian Mims then walked to load the bases.

Jose Gomez hit a grounder back to the hill that Karalus fielded, but his throw home was high allowing Rivas to score. After Trevor Charpie entered in relief, Haseley singled up the middle to bring home Lino.

With two down, Lartigue pulled a double down the first base line to score two more and lift Clearwater to an 8-0 lead.

Fanti held Charlotte scoreless until the seventh, when the Stone Crabs opened the inning with three consecutive singles. Sanchez's grounder through the right side scored the first run of the night for Charlotte.

Fanti would exit having permitted just one run on five hits and a walk across six innings, while collecting seven strikeouts in the win.

The 8-1 lead held until the bottom of the ninth, when with two outs Padlo lifted a grand slam to left off reliever Will Hibbs that made it an 8-5 ballgame. Aaron Brown entered and got Josh Lowe to pop up to right on the first pitch, ending the game as Brown earned his second save.

Game two of the three-game series will take place at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday, as McKenzie Mills takes the hill for Clearwater. The game will be broadcast live on threshersbaseball.com starting at 5:50 p.m.

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Florida State League Stories from June 8, 2018


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