Threshers Let Lead Slip Away in Loss to Tarpons
August 3, 2019 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Clearwater Threshers took a four-run advantage into the middle innings against the Tampa Tarpons on Saturday night, but could not hang on in a 12-5 loss at Spectrum Field. Despite the loss, Clearwater remains three games back of the Dunedin Blue Jays for first place in the Florida State League North division.
The Tarpons' (49-59, 21-21) offense struck early against MLB rehabber Jerad Eickhoff. Pablo Olivares was hit by a pitch and Estevan Florial walked to put runners on first and second. Oswaldo Cabrera singled to right to put Tampa ahead 1-0. Eickhoff would record just two outs before Alejandro Requena (7-9) struck out Wilkerman Garcia to end the frame.
Clearwater (56-55, 20-25) was unable to answer against Luis Gil through the first two innings, but found a spark in the third.
With one away, Matt Kroon walked and reached second on a wild pitch. After Kroon stole third, Daniel Brito singled to first to tie the game at one. Rafael Marchan singled to put runners at the corners for Jhailyn Ortiz. The No. 13 prospect for the Phillies ripped a double to right to score Brito and put Clearwater ahead 2-1.
Matt Vierling followed with a single to drive in Marchan and make it a 3-1 game. Gil hit Simon Muzziotti after the base hit, and a double steal pushed runners to second and third. Madison Stokes belted a sacrifice fly to left to push across Vierling and give Clearwater a 4-1 lead. The final run of the frame scored on Ben Aklinski's RBI infield hit and the Threshers took a 5-1 lead after three.
Requena struggled to hold the advantage in the fourth. Garcia singled and was followed with a Diego Castillo double to left to cut the deficit to 5-2. Tampa plated three in the fifth against Requena to tie the game at five. A solo shot from Leonardo Molina and a triple from Florial put Tampa within one. A wild pitch from the right-hander allowed Florial to trot home and even the game at five.
More damage was done against Requena in the sixth when Jason Lopez and Leonardo Molina singled to put runners at first and second with one away. After Olivares was hit by a pitch, Florial laced another triple to deep center to clear the bases and put Tampa ahead 8-5. The hit forced Requena's exit, who went 4.2 in relief, but allowed eight runs to come across.
The Threshers managed just one hit against right-hander Kyle Zurak (4-3), who tossed four scoreless frames in relief while striking out four. The Tarpons plated two runs in the seventh and a run in the ninth with a pair of long-balls to take a 12-5 lead into the ninth. New right-hander Matt Wivinis finished off the final two frames to close out the game and take the series against the Threshers.
Vierling put together another strong effort at the plate against the Tampa Tarpons. The Notre Dame product went 2-for-5 with an RBI and is 4-for-9 through the first two games in the series. Vierling is hitting .298 against the New York Yankees' affiliate with seven RBI.
Clearwater aims to avoid the sweep against Tampa in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Spectrum Field. RHP Kyle Glogoski (1-1 2.12) toes the rubber for the Threshers against Tarpons' RHP Alexander Vizcaino (1-0 0.00). First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. with coverage beginning at 12:45 p.m. on Threshers Live! The Pregame Show at threshersbaseball.com.
Sunday's contest features Brunch at the Ballpark, a $17 presale ($21 walk-up) brunch ticket includes a club level seat for the game and a buffet of eggs, breakfast meats, a carving station, coffee, juice and more.
Florida State League Stories from August 3, 2019
- Florial, Sensley Lead Tampa in Comeback over Clearwater - Tampa Tarpons
- Threshers Let Lead Slip Away in Loss to Tarpons - Clearwater Threshers
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