FSL1 Clearwater Threshers

Threshers Topped 8-5 by Yankees Monday

Published on August 27, 2013 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release


CLEARWATER - The Clearwater Threshers lost a crucial late-season game Monday night, falling 8-5 to the Tampa Yankees in front of 1,774 fans at Bright House Field.

The Threshers (30-30, 65-63) lost ground in the race for the Florida State League's North Division, with the loss trimming their elimination number to just 4. Tampa (26-33, 54-73) picked up a win a night after being blown out 11-2 by division-leader Daytona.

The Yankees struck in the top of the first inning against Threshers starter Luis Paulino, who loaded the bases with nobody out on a walk and two singles. Peter O'Brien bounced a grounder to shortstop Jonathan Roof, who stepped on second but threw errantly to first base. The miscue scored both Cito Culver and Taylor Dugas, giving Tampa the 2-0 lead.

Clearwater answered in the bottom of the first; right fielder Jiwan James drew a leadoff walk and came around to score on a triple by left fielder Pete Lavin. With one out, designated hitter Chris Serritella mauled a fastball from Tampa starter Jairo Heredia, drilling it way over the right field fence for his 12th homer of the season. The long ball put the Threshers ahead 3-2.

Tampa surged back in front in the top of the third inning. Paulino walked the leadoff man and gave up an RBI double to Robert Refsnyder to tie the game. Refsnyder then swiped third base, and came home on O'Brien's sacrifice fly, with Tampa assuming a 4-3 lead.

Clearwater evened the odds in the bottom of the fourth, as second baseman Carlos Alonso drew a leadoff walk and moved up to third on a single by first baseman Brock Stassi. Roof lifted a sacrifice fly to left to score Alonso and tie the ballgame at four runs apiece.

Tampa edged ahead again in the top of the fifth inning, as Paulino gave up a leadoff single to Culver and then plunked Dugas to put runners on first and second. Robert Refsnyder then smashed a double, scoring Culver and giving Tampa the 5-4 advantage.

Clearwater tied it once more in the bottom of the fifth, with James singling to lead off and moving up to second on a wild pitch from Heredia. Lavin then sliced a single past O'Brien at third to plate Lavin and even the score at 5-5.

Tampa moved ahead to stay in the top of the ninth against Threshers reliever Ken Giles (2-2), who loaded the bases with no outs on a single and two walks. A groundout to third retired the lead runner at the plate for the first out, but Jose Toussen drove in Refsnyder on a sacrifice fly to left, and Saxon Butler belted a double to right-center field to score O'Brien and Dan Fiorito to give the Yankees their final 8-5 lead.

Paulino took a no-decision, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks in four-plus innings. He hit a batter and whiffed two. Steven Inch threw four shutout innings of relief, working around two hits and three walks and recording three strikeouts. Giles took the loss, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks in his only inning of work.

Heredia didn't factor in the decision, allowing five runs on six hits and four walks while fanning two in his five innings of work. Zachary Varce gave up two hits and a walk but struck out three in two scoreless frames of relief. Alex Smith (1-2) earned the win with two shutout innings, whiffing two and walking a pair.

Clearwater will look to right the ship Tuesday, with righty Severino Gonzalez starting for the Threshers against Tampa righty Joel De La Cruz. It's $1 Night, presented by florida central credit union! Fans can come join us for $1 general admission tickets, beer, soda, hot dogs and more! There's free admission for all Lil Anglers Kids Club members (just $20 per child for the year) as well! First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m., with gates to open at 6 p.m. and the pregame show with Ben Gellman and Kirsten Karbach going live on ThreshersBaseball.com at 6:45.

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Florida State League Stories from August 27, 2013


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