Pointer Homers in Series-Opening Loss
Published on August 1, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Brian Pointer launched his 11th home run of the year on Friday, but the Clearwater Threshers fell behind early in suffering an 8-3 loss to the St. Lucie Mets at Bright House Field.
The Threshers faced a deficit for the first time since Monday, after St. Lucie plated three runs in the first inning off Mark Leiter Jr. Jared King capped that rally with a two-run homer that just cleared the wall in right.
Clearwater (18-23) responded by manufacturing a run off rehabbing right-hander Jeremy Hefner in the bottom half.
Roman Quinn worked his way aboard with a walk to lead off, extending his on-base streak to 16 consecutive contests.
Quinn then swiped second for his team-leading 20th steal, and moved to third on an Anthony Phillips sacrifice bunt. J.P. Crawford sent a liner that was caught by the right-fielder Eudy Pena, but deep enough to score Quinn from third on the sac fly.
After the Mets added a run in the top of the second, Pointer answered.
In the home half, Pointer led off by belting a 2-2 pitch to the berm beyond the wall in right, cutting the deficit to 4-2.
Clearwater threatened by loading the bases with one down, but Hefner settled in from there to get Quinn and Phillips out on strikes to end the inning.
The Mets (20-18) began to pull away in the fourth, bringing home two unearned runs. A walk, error, and single loaded the bases, before a walk and passed ball would eventually plate a pair to make it 6-2.
Leiter (2-2) would ultimately be charged with six runs - four earned - on five hits and a season-high four walks in his three innings.
Lino Martinez worked the next five frames - a season-most for the lefty - and surrendered a lone run on five hits and a walk.
The Threshers will look to grab their first win of the year against St. Lucie on Saturday, when they battle the Mets at 6:30 p.m. The call can be heard live on the Threshers' broadcast network beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Florida State League Stories from August 1, 2014
- Yankees Rally off Sharks in Late Innings - Jupiter Hammerheads
- Seven and Seven, and Keep 'em Coming - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Mets Snap Road Losing Skid with 8-3 Win over Threshers - St. Lucie Mets
- Pointer Homers in Series-Opening Loss - Clearwater Threshers
- 'Tees late rally falls short in 3-2 loss to Bradenton - Brevard County Manatees
- Flying Tigers Down Miracle, 6-3, with Late Inning Barrage - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Threshers Suffer 14-0 Loss in Opener - Clearwater Threshers
- Threshers Take Series with 9-3 Win - Clearwater Threshers
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