FSL1 Clearwater Threshers

Marauders Stun Threshers 8-7 Tuesday

Published on May 15, 2013 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release


CLEARWATER (Tuesday, May 14) -The Clearwater Threshers blew a six-run lead en route to a disappointing 8-7 loss to the visiting Bradenton Marauders in front of 3,179 fans at Bright House Field on Tuesday.

The Threshers (19-18) dropped their second in a row to Bradenton (15-23), with only two of the eight runs allowed being earned runs. Critical errors and a ninth-inning homer sank Clearwater's hopes of winning the game, and a win by the Dunedin Blue Jays dropped the Threshers to three games back in the North Division of the Florida State League.

Bradenton opened the scoring in the top of the first inning. Benji Gonzalez laced a one-out double up the right field line, and advanced to third on a fly out to right by Dan Grovatt. Jose Osuna hit a high chopper to Carlos Alonso at second and beat out the throw, allowing Gonzalez to score and making it 1-0 in favor of the Marauders.

Clearwater jumped ahead in the bottom of the inning. Bradenton starter Nick Kingham hit Alonso to lead off the frame, and right fielder Kelly Dugan slugged a two-run homer to right field. After third baseman Maikel Franco fanned for the first out, first baseman Chris Serritella doubled to right to put himself in scoring position. Left fielder Cameron Perkins slapped a single through the right side, and Serritella came home when Willy Garcia muffed the play in right. Walks to first baseman Brock Stassi and catcher Bob Stumpo loaded the bases with two outs. That would do it for Kingham, whom Bradenton manager Frank Kremblas pulled for reliever Cesar Lopez. The righty dealt a wild pitch that allowed Perkins to scoot home, making it a 4-1 Threshers lead.

The Threshers tacked on a couple more against Lopez in the top of the second, as Alonso and Dugan started the inning with back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners. After Franco flew out to right, Serritella walked to load the bases for Perkins. Catcher Jacob Stallings picked Serritella off first, but Perkins came up big with a two-run single through the left side to make it 6-1 Threshers.

Clearwater added another tally in the bottom of the third, as Stumpo and center fielder Gustavo Martinez drew back-to-back walks with one out. A wild pitch by reliever Jhondaniel Medina moved the runners to second and third, and Alonso lifted a sacrifice fly to center to score Stumpo and make it a 7-1 Clearwater lead.

Bradenton raced back into the game in the top of the fourth. Osuna led off with a double to right, and Garner hit Dan Gamache to put runners on first and second. Willy Garcia hit a grounder to Mojica that the shortstop threw away, allowing Osuna to score and Gamache to reach third safely. Garner whiffed Jacob Stallings and Taylor Lewis, but gave up a two-run single to Carlos Mesa. Alen Hanson doubled Mesa to third, and Gonzalez brought them both in on a two-run single, cutting the Clearwater lead to 7-6. Gonzalez was then caught stealing second to end the inning and the damage.

The Marauders evened the score in the top of the seventh against reliever Ryan O'Sullivan. Hanson drew a leadoff walk, and scooted to second on an errant pickoff throw by O'Sullivan. Gonzalez singled Hanson to third before Dan Grovatt bounced into a double play that allowed Hanson to score and tie the game at 7-7.

Bradenton retook the lead in the top of the ninth against new Threshers reliever Luis Garcia (0-1). Hanson slammed the first pitch he saw to right field for a solo homer. The round-tripper was the first of the season for Hanson, and it gave Bradenton an 8-7 lead. The Threshers went in order in the bottom of the ninth to drop the game.

Garner took a no-decision, with six runs (one earned) allowed on seven hits and three walks. He struck out seven, dealt a wild pitch and hit one batter. O'Sullivan gave up an unearned run in 2.2 innings, with two hits and two walks surrendered and two strikeouts recorded. Garcia took the loss, with a run given up on three hits; he fanned two.

The Threshers will try to snap out of their skid Wednesday morning, with southpaw Mario Hollands getting the start for Clearwater against Bradenton lefty Eliecer Navarro. It's an Education Day at Bright House Field, with a special 10:30 a.m. start so kids can make Bright House Field their classroom for the day! It's also a Happy Hour night at Bright House Field, presented by Belcher Bingo and Humana! Fans can come join us at the "Almost World Famous" Frenchy's Tiki Pavilion starting at 5:00 pm and enjoy our drink specials. Ladies drink free from 5:30 pm-6:30 pm. Also, during our Wednesday home games, Silver Shark Club Members receive free admission. Gates open at 9:30 a.m., with first pitch scheduled for 10:30. Ben Gellman's pregame show starts at 10:15 a.m. on ThreshersBaseball.com.

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Florida State League Stories from May 15, 2013


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