Martin, Walding Lead Threshers in 7-6 Win
Published on July 6, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
LAKELAND, Fla. -- Kyle Martin launched his 12th home run of the season, and Mitch Walding tied a season-high with three hits as the Clearwater Threshers squeezed past the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 7-6 in the series finale at Henley Field.
The Threshers (8-6) earned the series win, outlasting the Flying Tigers (2-10) to take the final two games of the set.
Down 1-0, Zach Green doubled to open up the second, and after Walding reached on an infield hit, Chace Numata delivered a sacrifice fly to right to knot the game up at one.
Clearwater bounded ahead with a four-spot off Jeff Thompson (5-4) in the third inning.
Scott Kingery led it off with a four-pitch walk, and Cord Sandberg's bunt was airmailed to first by third baseman Zac Shepherd, permitting Kingery to score from first and Sandberg to move into third on the play. Carlos Tocci followed with a sacrifice fly to right, giving Clearwater the 3-1 advantage.
Martin unloaded on a one-strike pitch, smacking a solo shot to right-center for his 12th bomb of the season. Martin is now tied for third in the Florida State League in home runs, and ranks second in RBI with 48.
Green kept it going by working a walk, and Walding doubled to right to put two men in scoring position. Numata delivered again, this time with a single to right to put Clearwater up 5-1.
Lakeland kept it close throughout, as Ben Verlander's home run in the bottom half cut the lead to 5-3. The Flying Tigers pulled even tighter in the sixth, when a Wade Hinkle sacrifice fly made it 5-4.
Elniery Garcia (7-2) earned the win, permitting four runs on eight hits across 5.2 innings in the start.
Clearwater gained some breathing room late, when Malquin Canelo singled home Martin with two outs in the seventh. An inning later, Carlos Tocci pulled a liner to left, and a wild pickoff move from Malvin Martinez allowed Tocci to race all the way around and cross the plate on the error.
The Threshers would need every bit of those insurance runs.
Joe DeNato entered with the bases loaded in the seventh and came up with a huge pick-off of Christin Stewart to end the frame, but the Flying Tigers surged again an inning later. After a walk to Mike Gerber, Joe Pankake's two-run homer again made it a one-run game.
Ulises Joaquin quieted things down through the final 1.2 innings, stepping around a two-out walk to Stewart in the ninth to lock down his eighth save.
The Threshers will head to Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin on Thursday, as Clearwater battles the Blue Jays at 6:30 p.m. Luke Leftwich (1-1) will take the hill against Chris Rowley (6-1), and the game will be broadcast live on the Threshers Broadcast Network starting at 6:15 p.m.
Florida State League Stories from July 6, 2016
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- Marauders Knock out Cobb in Rehab Start - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Martin, Walding Lead Threshers in 7-6 Win - Clearwater Threshers
- Becerra Delivers Critical Hits, Mets Edge Miracle 4-3 - St. Lucie Mets
- Williams, McCarthy Go Yard in Loss - Charlotte Stone Crabs
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