FSL Clearwater Threshers

Threshers Sweep Twin Bill to Clinch Series in Tampa

Published on August 10, 2023 under Florida State League (FSL)
Clearwater Threshers News Release


TAMPA, FL - Jordan Viars' game one grand slam and key late run in game two help the Clearwater Threshers (71-34. 27-13) take both games of a doubleheader against the Tampa Tarpons (50-56, 19-21) 12-4 and 3-1 to extend their winning streak to four games on Thursday night at Steinbrenner Field. The Threshers and Tarpons resume their series on Saturday evening after a Friday off.

Cristian Pache drew a walk with one out in the first and advanced to third on a one-out single by Justin Crawford. Crawford stole second base before Bryan Rincon hit a sacrifice fly to right that plated Pache to score the game's first run.

Ryan Leitch added another run with a solo homer off Tarpons starter Hayden Merda to double the Threshers lead to 2-0 in the second. Tampa responded with a solo home run from Tayler Aguilar that cut the Threshers lead down to 2-1 in the home half of the second inning.

Rincon started the fourth inning with a double off the wall in right and moved to third on a single by Felix Reyes. The throw to first from Tarpons third baseman Kiko Romero went wide of the bag, allowing Rincon to score on the play. William Bergolla and Ryan Leitch followed up with back-to-back singles to load the bases for Jordan Viars. On a 1-1 pitch, Viars hit a grand slam to left center to bring the Threshers lead to 7-1.

Chad Castillo reached on an error before the first two outs of the fourth were recorded on a double play. Four consecutive walks, including a bases-loaded walk to Reyes, resulted in the sixth run of the inning. Bergolla welcomed Tarpons reliever Edwar Polimir into the game with a two-run single that brought the Threshers to double digits at 10-1. A throwing error by Tarpons catcher Manuel Palencia allowed Reyes to score from third and put the Threshers up by 10 at 11-1.

The offensive outburst continued into the fifth, beginning with a one-out walk to Castillo. Pache singled and Crawford drove in Castillo from second on an RBI single to make it 12-1 Threshers. The Tarpons added three runs on two homers in the seventh, but the Threshers closed out the game in a 12-4 victory.

Jonathan Petit (2-1) allowed four runs on six hits in 6.0 innings of work to earn the win, he walked one and struck out nine. Nathan Karaffa retired all three batters he faced in the seventh.

GAME TWO:

WP: Braeden Fausnaught (2-2, 4.93)

LP: Kris Bow (2-5, 10.09)

SV: Jonh Henriquez (3)

BOX SCORE:

The Threshers struck first in game two with another run in the opening frame. Zach Arnold reached on an infield hit to short off Tarpons starter Kris Bow. He stole second base, and the throw to second from Omar Martinez deflected off the glove of Tampa's shortstop Brenny Escanio and into the outfield, allowing Arnold to move to third on the error. He scored on a wild pitch during Cole Moore's at-bat to give the Threshers a 1-0 lead.

Castillo hit a solo home run with one out in the third off Tarpons reliever Yorlin Calderon to double the Threshers advantage to 2-0. The Tarpons got on the board on a wild pitch in the fifth to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Viars led off the top of the sixth with a single before Calderon was replaced by Alex Bustamante. Viars advanced to second on a balk and moved to third on a groundout before a two-out single by Ricardo Rosario scored him from third to bring the Threshers' lead back up to two runs.

The Threshers allowed to of the first three runners to reach in the seventh, but a game-ending double play sealed the win 3-1 as the Threshers swept the doubleheader 12-4 and 3-1.

Alec McFarlane walked two and struck out three in 2.0 scoreless and hitless innings in a no-decision. Braeden Fausnaght (2-2) retired all six batters he faced in 2.0 shutout innings with two strikeouts to earn the win. Eiberson Castellano allowed one run on one hit with two strikeouts in 1.0 inning. Danny Wilkinson struck out two with one hit allowed in 1.0 scoreless inning. Jonh Henriquez earned the save in 1.0 scoreless frame with one hit and one walk allowed.

The nine-run inning in the fourth inning of game one was the most runs the Threshers have scored in a single inning this season...Viars' grand slam was the sixth hit by a Thresher in 2023...Crawford became the third player in the Florida State League to steal 40 bases in 2023...Bergolla had his third multi-RBI of the season in game one...Dissin recorded his first career stolen base in the seventh inning of game two...The Threshers took their first sweep of a doubleheader this season...They also clinched their third series victory against Tampa...Clearwater is the first Single-A team to 70 wins in 2023...After a day off on Friday, the Threshers continue their six-game road series against the Tampa Tarpons on Saturday, August 12 at Steinbrenner Field... First pitch is at 6:30 pm... You can purchase tickets for Threshers games at ThreshersBaseball.com/tickets or by calling 727-467-4457.

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Florida State League Stories from August 10, 2023


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