Threshers Nipped 4-3 by Daytona Wednesday
Published on June 19, 2013 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
CLEARWATER - The Clearwater Threshers were nipped 4-3 at Bright House Field Wednesday by the Daytona Cubs to close out the first half in front of a crowd of 1,655.
Clearwater (35-33) dropped their second straight and fifth of their last seven games, stranding ten runners over the course of the game. The loss dropped them to a fourth-place finish in the first half in the Florida State League's North Division, falling behind Daytona (35-31) as well as division champ Dunedin and Brevard County.
Clearwater opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning against Daytona starter P.J. Francescon (5-4). Second baseman Carlos Alonso hammered a 3-2 fastball over the left field fence for his fourth homer of the year, giving Clearwater a 1-0 lead.
Daytona evened things up in the top of the fourth with Threshers starter Nick Hernandez (3-2) on the mound. With the bases loaded and one out, Tim Saunders hit a bouncer to Jose Mojica at shortstop. The Threshers tried for the double play, but Saunders beat Alonso's throw to first, allowing Javier Baez to score from third and make it a 1-1 game.
The Threshers jumped back ahead in the bottom of the inning, as designated hitter Chris Serritella led off with a single. After Alonso lined out to right, Stassi singled to advance Serritella to second, and catcher Bob Stumpo singled him home. Mojica cracked his own single to left, scoring Stassi and putting Clearwater in the lead 3-1.
Daytona crept closer in the top of the fifth. Pin-Chieh Chen sliced a one-out single up the middle, and raced to third on a double by John Andreoli. Zeke DeVoss was plunked to load the bases, and a ground-out by Baez brought home Chen to trim the Clearwater lead to 3-2.
The Cubs moved ahead in the top of the fifth, as Ben Carhart smashed a leadoff homer to tie the game. Saunders followed with a single, and moved to second on a ground-out. Hernandez was pulled for Severino Gonzalez, who gave up a two-out single to Chen that scored Saunders. Daytona exited the inning with their final 4-3 lead.
Hernandez took the loss with four runs (three earned) allowed on six hits and a walk in 5.1 innings; he surrendered a homer and three hit-batsmen, and struck out three. Gonzalez gave up two hits in 1.2 frames and struck out two. He hit a batter and allowed an inherited runner to score. Juan Sosa pitched two scoreless frames of relief, walking one and whiffing two.
Francescon earned the win with a six-inning start, allowing three runs on eight hits while fanning four. Luis Liria threw two scoreless innings of relief despite allowing two walks and two hits while striking out one. Eduardo Figueroa gave up a hit but nothing else in the ninth inning, striking out one and earning his second save.
Clearwater will open the second half at home Thursday against the Lakeland Flying Tigers. It's Thirsty Thursday at Bright House Field, with all drinks two for the price of one! Gates open at 6 p.m., and first pitch is scheduled for 7:00, with the pregame broadcast kicking off at 6:45 on ThreshersBaseball.com.
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