Threshers Open Home Schedule, Fall 8-3
Published on April 8, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Clearwater Threshers welcomed their 2 Millionth fan and kicked off their 2016 home schedule at Bright House Field on Friday, but suffered their second-straight defeat in falling 8-3 to the Dunedin Blue Jays.
Clearwater (0-2) placed a runner on base in every inning, but left 17 stranded in the home-opening loss. Zach Green, Gabriel Lino, and Herlis Rodriguez each slashed two hits, as the Threshers tallied ten in the hit column.
After Dunedin (2-0) grabbed the advantage on a Christian Lopes homer to open the contest, Clearwater answered with two of its own in the home half.
Scott Kingery got it going with an infield single, and Cord Sandberg worked his way aboard after an eight-pitch walk. Carlos Tocci pulled a soft ground ball to third that allowed both runners to move into scoring position, and Kyle Martin followed with a swinging-bunt basehit to score Kingery and tie the game at one.
After Mitch Walding drew a walk to load the bases, Dunedin starter Tom Robson struck out Green before walking Malquin Canelo to push across Sandberg, making it 2-1 Threshers.
Imhof (0-1) held Dunedin in check until the sixth.
With the score tied at two, a pair of one-out singles followed by a Derek Loveless sacrifice fly put Dunedin ahead for good. After a walk to Dickie Joe Thon, Alexis Rivero entered in relief with two men on. Lopes ripped a triple to plate both runners and open up a 5-2 advantage for the Blue Jays.
Clearwater had a man in scoring position in eight of the nine innings, but Dunedin's pitching staff limited the Threshers to just one run the rest of the way. Kingery, Sandberg, and Carlos Tocci each drew walks to start the eighth, and Martin brought a run home on a ground ball fielder's choice to cut the deficit to 8-3.
The series moves back to Florida Auto Exchange Stadium on Saturday, as Ranfi Casimiro makes his Threshers debut against lefty Ryan Borucki. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m., and the call can be heard live on threshersbaseball.com beginning at 6:15 p.m.
Florida State League Stories from April 8, 2016
- Lopes Slugs in Clearwater, Jays Win 8-3 - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Ford, Aune Lift Yankees to Victory, 7-1 - Tampa Yankees
- 10-4 Means Victory for Tortugas - Daytona Tortugas
- Miracle Rally in the Seventh for a 3-2 Victory - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Threshers Open Home Schedule, Fall 8-3 - Clearwater Threshers
- Marauders Fall to Fort Myers Rally - Bradenton Marauders
- Mets Rally Falls Short, Hammerheads Win 5-3 - St. Lucie Mets
- Tampa Dominates Lakeland in Season Opener - Tampa Yankees
- D-Jays Win Bittersweet Opener with Alford Injured - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Daytona Delivers Dramatics - Daytona Tortugas
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