FSL1 Clearwater Threshers

Garcia Goes Yard Again, Threshers Hang On

June 24, 2017 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release


CLEARWATER, Fla. - Wilson Garcia launched his third home run this week to help lift the Clearwater Threshers to a 3-0 start to the second half, as the Threshers hung on for a 2-1 win over the Daytona Tortugas at Spectrum Field on Saturday night.

Luke Leftwich came up clutch in relief for Clearwater (41-32, 3-0), inheriting a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the sixth inning.

Clinging to a one-run lead, Leftwich got Garrett Boulware to line out to the second baseman Grenny Cumana, who flipped to second to double off Reydel Medina . He then induced a fly out to center from Luis Gonzalez to preserve the lead.

Leftwich preceded to retire the next six he faced in order, spinning three hitless innings in relief.

Clearwater broke open the scoring back in the second, when Garcia attacked a one-strike offering from Mike Armstrong (0-1) and launched a solo shot over the berm in right for his seventh longball of the year. Garcia has now homered in three of the last four games.

An inning later, 18-year-old Simon Muzziotti laced a single to left, stole second, and sped down to third on a flyout to right. He crossed the plate on a wild pitch to put Clearwater up 2-0.

Despite issuing five walks in the first three innings, Alberto Tirado (5-4) did not permit a hit until the fourth.

James Vasquez reached on an infield hit to start the frame, and Reydel Medina grounded into a forceout. Medina moved up to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a wild throw from Cumana to cut the lead to 2-1.

Tirado earned the win after working five innings, holding Daytona (33-35, 0-3) to an unearned run on just two hits. He walked five, and recorded five strikeouts.

The 2-1 lead held all the way to the ninth, when Daniel Sweet worked a leadoff walk against closer Jeff Singer and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Singer managed to strand the tying run in scoring position, striking out Blake Butler on a slider in the dirt to end the ballgame and secure his league-leading 15th save.

Clearwater will go for the series sweep on Sunday, when Franklyn Kilome (4-2) takes the hill against Vladimir Gutierrez (4-5) at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on threshersbaseball.com starting at 12:45 p.m

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Florida State League Stories from June 24, 2017


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