Hoskins Homers in 5-3 Win
Published on August 10, 2015 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
LAKELAND, Fla. - Rhys Hoskins homered and knocked in the go-ahead run to help lift the Clearwater Threshers to a 5-3 win in the series opener against the Lakeland Flying Tigers.
The teams battled tightly throughout, but it was the Threshers (27-18) who persevered with two runs in the eighth to take the lead for good.
Down 3-2, Jesmuel Valentin worked a leadoff walk against Endrys Briceno (0-2). Malquin Canelo dropped down a well-placed bunt that was thrown away by third baseman Curt Powell, permitting Valentin to advance to third and Canelo to second with nobody out.
After Briceno struck out Carlos Tocci, the Flying Tigers (9-31) elected to intentionally walk Willians Astudillo to load the bases for Hoskins.
With Hoskins at the plate, Briceno unleashed a wild pitch that brought home Valentin with the tying run.
Hoskins worked a 2-2 count, then served a single into center. Canelo scored easily from third, as Ismael Salgado charged in and fired a strike home to nab Astudillo at the plate for the second out. Canelo's run represented the go-ahead, giving the Threshers the 4-3 lead.
Clearwater tacked on a final tally in the ninth, when Mitch Walding led off with a single and later scored on a Canelo sacrifice fly.
Jesen Therrien (4-0) earned the win in relief, delivering 2.2 scoreless frames. Miguel Nunez entered with men at the corners and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, and induced a flyout to right on a 3-2 pitch to Francisco Martinez to end it, earning his fourth save.
Victor Arano turned in a solid outing in the start, but did not factor in the decision. Arano gave Clearwater six innings, limiting Lakeland to three runs - two earned - on six hits and two walks.
Hoskins finished 2-for-4, including his fifth home run in a Threshers uniform. He launched a 1-2 pitch from starter Kyle Lobstein out to the berm beyond left-center in the second. The longball gave Hoskins 14 total between Clearwater and Lakewood in 2015.
Clearwater will battle Lakeland for game two of the three-game series on Tuesday, with first pitch at 6:15 p.m. Ricardo Pinto (5-2) is scheduled to take the hill against Brennan Smith (4-3), and the call can be heard live on the Threshers Broadcast Network starting at 6:15 p.m.
Florida State League Stories from August 10, 2015
- D-Jays Slow Tortugas for Fifth-Straight Win - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Leonora Homers for Yankees in 4-2 Win over Manatees - Tampa Yankees
- Hoskins Homers in 5-3 Win - Clearwater Threshers
- Mejia Drives Miracle Offense in 8-4 Victory over Mets - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Wright Goes 1 for 3 as Mets Lose 8-4 to Miracle - St. Lucie Mets
- Hudson Homers Again in 3-2 Loss vs. Dunedin - Daytona Tortugas
- Marauders Tripped by Jupiter - Bradenton Marauders
- Mike Ford Named FSL Player of the Week - Tampa Yankees
- Flying Tiger Kevin Ziomek Named Florida State League Pitcher of the Week - Lakeland Flying Tigers
- Mets to Celebrate Middle Child Appreciation Night - St. Lucie Mets
- Marauders Employee Awarded FSL/Miami Marlins Scholarship - Bradenton Marauders
- Home Runs for Autism Jersey Auction Opens - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Joshua Grubbs Named FSL Scholarship Winner for the Stone Crabs - Charlotte Stone Crabs
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