Ninth-Inning Rally Falls Short for Threshers
Published on August 1, 2023 under Florida State League (FSL)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
CLEARWATER, FL - Justin Crawford put the Clearwater Threshers (65-31, 21-10) within one run in the ninth, but the Threshers ultimately fell 5-4 to the Lakeland Flying Tigers (48-48, 22-9) on Tuesday night at BayCare Ballpark. Clearwater and Lakeland continue their second series of the season on Wednesday night.
Lakeland scored the first run of the game on a bases-loaded walk in the second inning. Crawford walked with two outs in the third inning and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Lakeland starter Edgardo Ibarra. Felix Reyes tied up the game by driving in Crawford from second base with a base hit to even the score at one run apiece.
The Flying Tigers loaded the bases and scored two runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead back at 3-1. They added another run on an Andrew Jenkins RBI single in the seventh to extend their lead to 4-1. William Bergolla led off the seventh with a single off Lakeland reliever Chris Williams and advanced to second on a walk to Cole Moore. After a double play moved Bergolla to third, Crawford drove him in with a single up the middle to cut the Lakeland lead down to 4-2.
Cade Fergus and Bergolla hit back-to-back singles off Lakeland's closer Cam Brown to start the ninth, advancing to second and third on a groundout by Moore. Crawford hit a two-run double to left to score both runners and get the Threshers within one run, but Brown induced a flyout on the next pitch to seal the Threshers defeat at 5-4.
Giussepe Velásquez allowed one run on one hit with three walks and seven strikeouts in 5.0 innings in a no-decision. Seth Nightingale recorded one out in the sixth, with two runs allowed on four walks and a strikeout. Nathan Karaffa allowed one run on one hit with two walks and one strikeout in 1.2 innings. Daniel Harper allowed one run on four hits in 1.2 innings of work with two walks and three strikeouts. Josh Bortka retired the only batter he faced in the ninth.
Crawford tied his career-high with three RBIs...Moore extended his on-base streak to 14-straight games...Velásquez tied his career-high with seven strikeouts...Bergolla notched his sixth multi-hit game of the season...Five of those games have been at BayCare Ballpark...Bortka has not allowed a run in his last four relief appearances...The Threshers continue their six-game series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers (Single-A, Tigers) on Wednesday, August 2 at BayCare Ballpark... First pitch is at 6:30 pm... You can purchase tickets for Threshers games at ThreshersBaseball.com/tickets or by calling 727-467-4457.
Florida State League Stories from August 1, 2023
- Tampa Explodes for 15 Runs in Blowout Victory - Bradenton Marauders
- Mussels Strand 16 Runners, Lose 4-3 to Dunedin - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Ninth-Inning Rally Falls Short for Threshers - Clearwater Threshers
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