Threshers Falter Late in Home-Opening Loss
Published on April 5, 2019 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Clearwater Threshers had a mixed bag of results in Friday night's home-opening loss to the Dunedin Blue Jays at Spectrum Field. Four hurlers combined for 19 strikeouts, but also issued 10 free passes in the 7-3 loss.
Damon Jones struck out the side on 16 pitches in the first inning, but battled through command issues in the second. The lefty walked three batters, but managed to leave the men stranded with three more punch outs.
The Twin Falls, Idaho native worked around a two-out walk to Cullen Large in the third by striking out Demi Orimoloye for his eighth knockout of the game.
Matt Vierling connected with his first home run of the season in the fourth, a solo shot into left to tie the game at one.
Clearwater (0-2) pulled ahead with a two-spot in the fifth. Ben Aklinski doubled against Jonathan Cheshire (1-0) with one out in the frame, and moved up to third on a passed ball during Nick Maton's at-bat.
After a walk to the Threshers' shortstop, Jose Gomez went down on strikes, but Simon Muzziotti picked his teammate up with an RBI double to left to push the home team ahead, 3-1.
The advantage did not last long as Dunedin (2-0) took advantage of two walks by Luis Carrasco (0-1) in the fifth, leading to a three-run frame.
Chavez Young singled to start things out in front of back-to-back walks to Large and Orimoloye. A strikeout to Ryan Noda gave the visitors their first out, and an RBI fielder's choice by Logan Warmoth shrunk the Threshers lead down to one.
Riley Adams drove a two-run double to the gap in left center to put Clearwater back into a one-run deficit.
Connor Brogdon and Zach Warren tossed the final 3.1 innings for Clearwater, with Warren allowing three runs on three walks and three strikeouts in the final frame.
Each pitcher for the Threshers put up at least three strikeouts, but also had at least one walk to his name.
Clearwater will look for its first win of 2019 in game three of the four-game set on Saturday night at Spectrum Field. RHP Alejandro Requena (0-0, --) takes the bump for the Threshers against the Blue Jays' LHP Nick Allgeyer (0-0, --). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:15 p.m. on threshersbaseball.com.
Game three of the series will feature a post-game fireworks display presented by Clearwater Gas.
Florida State League Stories from April 5, 2019
- Threshers Falter Late in Home-Opening Loss - Clearwater Threshers
- Fire Frogs Squeak Past Tortugas, 5-4, on "Hangover" Night - Daytona Tortugas
- Stone Crabs Fall Short in Fort Myers 4-3 - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Miracle Down Charlotte, 4-3 - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Valerio Lifts Marauders to 4-2 Win over Mets - St. Lucie Mets
- Schmidt, Mize Duel as Tarpons Fall in Lakeland on Opening Day - Tampa Tarpons
- Four-Hit Nights Not Enough in 11-3 Opening Night Loss - Charlotte Stone Crabs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
