Martin's Bomb Powers Threshers in Win
Published on April 14, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Kyle Martin's fourth home run of the young season propelled the Clearwater Threshers in a 6-4, come-from-behind victory, as Clearwater salvaged the series split against the Charlotte Stone Crabs at Bright House Field.
The Threshers faced a 4-3 deficit into the bottom of the seventh inning on Thursday. Scott Kingery opened the inning with a double to left-center, and Drew Stankiewicz followed by drawing a four-pitch walk against reliever Damion Carroll (0-1).
After Mike Franco entered for Carroll on the hill, Carlos Tocci executed a sacrifice bunt to advance both to scoring position.
In stepped Martin, with the tying run 90 feet away.
Martin quickly fell behind in the count 0-2, but managed to fight his way back and work the count full. On the payoff pitch, Martin unloaded a blast to the concrete wall beyond the berm in right field, a three-run homer that put Clearwater up 6-4.
It was Martin's fourth home run of the year. In eight games, the 23-year old first baseman has driven in 10 runs.
The Threshers (4-4) were able to rally back thanks to the relief work of Alexis Rivero.
Rivero entered with two men on and nobody out in the sixth inning, with the Threshers trailing 4-2.
Nick Ciuffo put down a bunt to move the runners to second and third, and Rivero bared down to induce a pair of key outs to hold the Stone Crabs off the board. The right-hander struck out both Bralin Jackson and Cade Gotta to end the inning.
Rivero (1-0) would give the Threshers three scoreless innings out of the bullpen to earn the win. He surrendered one hit and one walk, striking out three.
Miguel Nunez earned the save after making quick work of the Charlotte Stone Crabs in the ninth. Nunez cut down Pat Blair on a 96 mph fastball to end the ballgame, notching his second save.
Clearwater will take to the east coast of Florida for the first time this season when the Threshers head to Jupiter for a four-game series, beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m. Ranfi Casimiro (0-0) has the start against the Hammerheads' Jorgan Cavanerio (0-1).
The Threshers are back home on Tuesday to open a six-game homestand, as they face off against Daytona followed by Brevard County.
Florida State League Stories from April 14, 2016
- Martin's Bomb Powers Threshers in Win - Clearwater Threshers
- Tortugas Strikeout in Jupiter - Daytona Tortugas
- Yankees Take Series Finale over Marauders, 5-3 - Tampa Yankees
- Stewart Carves up Manatees in 7-2 Win - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Cards Reach Six in a Row - Palm Beach Cardinals
- Bats Go Quiet in Mets 3-0 Loss to Blue Jays - St. Lucie Mets
- Tortugas Leave Offense at Land in 2-1 Loss - Daytona Tortugas
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