FSL1 Clearwater Threshers

Threshers Blank Yanks 8-0 Thursday

Published on May 3, 2013 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release


TAMPA (Thursday, May 2) -The Clearwater Threshers baffled the Tampa Yankees in an 8-0 shutout Thursday night in front of 1,157 fans at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

The Threshers (12-14) had back-to-back three-run innings in the fifth and sixth in support of starter Hoby Milner (3-2), who turned in his finest performance of the year. Clearwater shelled Tampa (11-15) in spite of an aggressive approach at the plate that saw them strike out 17 times.

Clearwater opened the scoring in the top of the fifth inning against Tampa starter Corey Black (1-3), who had allowed just three singles and a walk till that point. Shortstop Jose Mojica was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and scooted to second on a wild pitch from Black. Center fielder Kyrell Hudson worked a walk to put runners on first and second. Second baseman Carlos Alonso dropped a sacrifice bunt down the third base line. Black fielded and threw to third in the hopes of retiring Mojica, but the throw was not in time. The decision loaded the bases for left fielder Aaron Altherr, who lined the first pitch he saw up the right field line for a two-run double. After designated hitter Kelly Dugan fanned, third baseman Maikel Franco drew an intentional walk to load the bases. First baseman Chris Serritella struck out swinging, but Black hit right fielder Cameron Perkins with a pitch, bringing home Alonso and making it 3-0 in favor of Clearwater.

The Threshers tacked on another trio of runs in the sixth. Mojica rudely welcomed new reliever Dan Mahoney by singling to center. With one out, Mahoney's wild pitch let Mojica advance to second before the reliever walked Alonso. Mahoney fired another wild pitch with Altherr at the plate, allowing the runners to move to second and third with just one away. Altherr lofted a sacrifice fly to left to score Mojica, making it 4-0. Dugan dropped a single into shallow right to score Alonso and extend the inning. Franco worked a two-out walk, and Serritella laced a single to right, plating Dugan and making it a 6-0 Threshers lead.

Clearwater added two more runs to their total in the top of the eighth inning. Franco singled with one out off reliever Rigoberto Arrebato, and Perkins drew a two-out walk to put runners on first and second. Moore singled through the right side, scoring Franco and advancing Perkins to second. Arrebato was yanked in favor of Matt Daley, who came in to face Mojica. The hot-hitting shortstop ripped another single, his fourth of the game, to score Perkins and give the Threshers their final 8-0 lead.

Milner turned in a stellar start, allowing just three hits and a walk over six shutout innings en route to the victory; he hit one batter and whiffed eight. Luis Garcia hit one batter, allowed a walk and gave up two hits in two innings, but struck out two and didn't surrender any runs. Manaure Martinez pitched a scoreless inning in his 2013 debut, walking three and fanning one in his lone frame.

Black took the loss with three runs allowed on four hits and three walks over five innings. His 11 strikeouts were offset by two wild pitches and two hit batsmen. Mahoney gave up three runs on three hits and two walks while getting just two outs; he struck out one and threw three wild pitches. Arrebato surrendered two runs on four hits andd a walk in two innings, fanning four and dealing a wild pitch. Daley gave up one hit to allow an inherited run to score and struck out one in 1.1 innings.

Clearwater will look for another victory Friday night at Bright House Field, with righty Perci Garner toeing the slab against Tampa right-hander Shane Greene. It's Bright House Networks Customer Appreciation Night, with fireworks after the game! Bright House is giving back to its customers with free admission to the game; customers can present their statement and get up to 8 free tickets. It's also a Tampa Bay Times Family Pack night! Present a coupon from the Tampa Bay Times and receive 4 box seats, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas, and 4 bags of chips for only $28! First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m., with gates to open at 5:30. Ben Gellman's pregame show will be live on ThreshersBaseball.com starting at 6:15 p.m.

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Florida State League Stories from May 3, 2013


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