Late Inning Rallies Propel Dunedin Past Clearwater in Series Finale
June 2, 2019 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Clearwater Threshers held a late 4-1 lead, but fell the Dunedin Blue Jays, 5-4, in 10 innings at Spectrum Field on Sunday afternoon. The loss drops the Threshers to 5.5 back of first place with 11 games remaining in the first half.
Clearwater (29-27) found momentum after trailing 1-0 to Dunedin (34-21) in the second. Maximo Castillo allowed a double by Jhailyn Ortiz and an RBI single from Matt Vierling to tie the game. Three batters later, Dalton Guthrie grounded into a fielder's choice to second to score Vierling from third.
The Philadelphia Phillies' affiliate was not done adding to its lead. In the third, Madison Stokes drove a solo shot to left field to make it 3-1. In the sixth, after a Vierling double, Matt Kroon lined a ball to deep center that was caught by Chavez Young. Young leaped to grab it, and Vierling was able to tag and score from second.
Vierling finished the afternoon 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. The Notre Dame product snapped an 0-for-8 skid and pushed his RBI total to 23. The 22-year-old helped the Threshers reach nine hits for the second straight game.
The D-Jays made their comeback in the seventh with an RBI two-bagger from Roberto Obeso to make it 4-2. An inning later, Ryan Noda plated a run for the visitors on a groundout, and a wild-pitch from Luis Ramirez scored Cullen Large to tie the game.
Clearwater held off Dunedin until extras, when the Toronto Blue Jays' affiliate used their runner on second to grab momentum. Noda drilled a double off Grant Dyer to left to score Cullen Large and put the visitors in front 5-4.
Brad Wilson set down Clearwater 1-2-3 to close out the game for his third save.
The starting pitching for the third straight game was strong, as right-hander Colton Eastman earned a quality start with 6.1 innings of work. The starter allowed seven hits while striking out eight. The Cal State Fullerton product gave the Threshers their 19th quality start of 2019.
The Threshers continue the homestand by welcoming the Jupiter Hammerheads for a four-game set beginning Monday night at Spectrum Field. It is yet to be determined who will start for either team in the series opener. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m. at threshersbaseball.com.
Monday night features Dog Days of Summer. A $6 dog-ticket, available at walk-up, will go to Limbo Chihuahua Rescue.
Florida State League Stories from June 2, 2019
- Fire Frogs Broom Palm Beach, 9-7 and 4-0 - Florida Fire Frogs
- Late Inning Rallies Propel Dunedin Past Clearwater in Series Finale - Clearwater Threshers
- Daytona Opens up Seven-Game Homestand vs. Bradenton - Daytona Tortugas
- Roach Homers in 6-4 Loss to St. Lucie - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Aguilar Homers, But Tarpons Drop Finale, 7-3 - Tampa Tarpons
- Big Seventh Inning Dooms Miracle In Rubber Game - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Roach Homers in 6-4 Loss to St. Lucie - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Mets Jump out Early, Hang on to Beat Crabs 6-4 - St. Lucie Mets
- Sims Helps Jupiter Sink Daytona in Finale, 4-3 - Daytona Tortugas
- Dunedin Goes for Their Fourth Consecutive Series Win - Dunedin Blue Jays
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