McArthur Sharp in Series-Opening Loss to Tarpons
August 2, 2019 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
CLEARWATER, Fla. - James McArthur bounced back with just one run allowed over five frames on Friday night, but the starter's efforts were not enough in a 2-0 defeat to the Tampa Tarpons at Spectrum Field in the series opener of a three-game set.
Both sides searched for offense in the early going. McArthur put together a scoreless first and second for Clearwater (56-54, 20-24) with just one hit allowed before trouble in the third. With two outs and Pablo Olivarez at third, Estevan Florial and Oswaldo Cabrera walked to load the bases. The 6-foot-7 right-hander got the next batter Alexander Palma to lineout to Nick Maton to strand three on base.
Tampa (47-59, 20-21) starter Glenn Otto, Jr. managed 3.1 scoreless frames with just two hits allowed and three strikeouts. The Rice product allowed a single to Simon Muzziotti in the fourth and exited for Trevor Stephan (2-3). The reliever allowed a hit to Matt Vierling, but retired Maton to end the threat and give the Tarpons a chance to strike first.
In the bottom of the fourth, McArthur allowed a lead-off hit to Diego Castillo before balking to move the runner to second. Wilkerman Garcia followed up with a double to right to put Tampa ahead 1-0. McArthur followed up the frame by retiring Tampa in order in the fifth to keep Clearwater's deficit at one.
Friday night's starter left after five frames. The 22-year-old allowed the lone run on four hits, two walks and three strikeouts in the losing effort.
The Threshers offense could not find a rally against Stephan until the eighth. Matt Kroon singled to right with one away and reached second after Daniel Brito's groundout. Rafael Marchan singled on the ground through the left side, but Olivares threw out Kroon at the plate trying to score and kept the game at 1-0.
Tampa picked up an insurance run in the ninth against Keylan Killgore with an RBI infield hit from Florial to push its lead to 2-0. Stephan returned to the mound for the ninth and induced a double play off the bat of Maton to close out the game and give the Tarpons the series-opening victory. The Philadelphia Phillies' affiliate has lost three in a row to the Tarpons, and has been shut out in two straight games against the club.
Despite the loss, Michael Gomez chipped in another strong performance out of the bullpen. The sidearm right-hander tossed three scoreless innings with two hits allowed and three strikeouts. Gomez has not allowed a run since July 24, and has strung together 5.2 scoreless frames since.
Clearwater continues its series with Tampa on Saturday night at Spectrum Field in game two of the three-game set. RHP Alejandro Requena (7-8 4.48) gets the ball for the Threshers against Tarpons' RHP Luis Gil (1-0 3.00). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:15 p.m. on Threshers Live! The Pregame Show at threshersbaseball.com.
Saturday night brings the fifth annual Heroes for Kids night presented by Banquet Masters. Take pictures and interact with our local Heroes for Kids dressed up as iconic comic book heroes. Heroes for Kids Night celebrates a local charity group: Costumers with a Cause. Another fireworks display presented by Wawa will also be featured on Saturday night.
Florida State League Stories from August 2, 2019
- Tarpons Blank Threshers in Series-Opener, 2-0 - Tampa Tarpons
- Mets Muck up Series Opener for Tortugas, 7-1 - Daytona Tortugas
- Blue Jays Drop Opener to Marauders - Dunedin Blue Jays
- McArthur Sharp in Series-Opening Loss to Tarpons - Clearwater Threshers
- Mets Pull Away from Tortugas, 7-1 - St. Lucie Mets
- Ryan, McClanahan Pitch Stone Crabs to Sweep - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Miracle Fall, 3-2, In Rain-Shortened Affair - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Heavy Rain Hinders Hammerheads and Fire Frogs Set Opener - Florida Fire Frogs
- Dunedin Opens a Series with Bradenton - Dunedin Blue Jays
- August 2nd Hammerheads Game against Fire Frogs Postponed, Will be Made up as Doubleheader - Jupiter Hammerheads
- Hammerheads Avoid Rain to Sweep Daytona - Jupiter Hammerheads
- Dunedin Picks up Doubleheader Split to Salvage Series with Fort Myers - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Sensational Sands Leads Miracle To Game One Win - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
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