FSL1 Clearwater Threshers

Threshers Tumble 3-1 to Tigers

Published on April 22, 2013 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release


LAKELAND (Monday, April 22) - The Clearwater Threshers failed to muster much offense in a 3-1 loss Monday night to the Lakeland Flying Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium in front of 581 fans.

The Threshers (8-10) held the Tigers (6-12) off the board until the bottom of the fifth inning, when a two-out error allowed Lakeland to extend the frame and eventually tally two runs. Clearwater was held off the board until the top of the ninth, when they threatened but were eventually retired.

Lakeland opened the scoring in the bottom of the fifth inning against Clearwater reliever Luis Paulino (0-2). Dean Green cracked a one-out double, but a fly-out by Jeff McVaney gave the Threshers a chance to escape the inning unscathed. Jason King bounced a grounder to Jonathan Roof at second base that Roof muffed, allowing Green to race around and score. A walk to Jason Krizan moved King to second, and Luis Sanz came up with a single to right to plate King and make it 2-0 in favor of Lakeland.

The Flying Tigers extended their lead in the sixth inning. Eugenio Suarez drew a leadoff walk from Paulino, and advanced to third on a single to right from Chad Wright. Aaron Westlake bounced a grounder to Roof at second that allowed the Threshers to turn a 4-6-3 double play, but Suarez sped in from third base, running the Lakeland lead to 3-0.

Clearwater broke up the shutout in the ninth inning. Third baseman Maikel Franco hit a hot smash to third base that King misplayed, allowing Franco to reach first. Right fielder Delmon Young singled to right, moving Franco to second. First baseman Chris Serritella bounced into a 3-6-1 double play, retiring himself and Young but allowing Franco to reach third. Center fielder Aaron Altherr pounded a single through the left side that plated Franco to put Clearwater on the board, still down 3-1. Designated hitter Harold Martinez came to the plate, representing the tying run, but fanned to end the game.

Threshers starter Ethan Stewart threw four scoreless innings, striking out five batters against three hits and four walks; he also hit Green with a pitch. Paulino took the loss, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk in two innings while striking out one. Luis Garcia threw two scoreless innings in his Threshers debut, whiffing three while giving up two hits and a walk.

Lakeland starter Wilsen Palacios (1-2) earned the victory for the Flying Tigers with six scoreless innings. He struck out seven and only allowed four hits and a walk. Jose Valverde threw a scoreless frame of relief on his own rehab assignment, with one hit tempered by three strikeouts. Slade Smith picked up the save with two innings of relief, allowing an unearned run on two hits while striking out one.

The Threshers will try to avoid the sweep Tuesday, with righty Gabriel Arias getting the start for Clearwater against Lakeland southpaw Kyle Ryan. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30, with Ben Gellman's presume show starting at 6:15 p.m. on ThreshersBaseball.com.

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Florida State League Stories from April 22, 2013


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