FSL1 Clearwater Threshers

Tigers Trip Threshers 8-7 in Extras Thursday

Published on May 10, 2013 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release


CLEARWATER (Thursday, May 9) -The Clearwater Threshers blew a late lead and committed an extra-innings error to fall 8-7 in ten innings Thursday to the visiting Lakeland Flying Tigers in front of 1,519 fans at Bright House Field.

The Threshers (17-16) led by a run in the eighth inning, but blew the lead, and Lakeland (13-19) took advantage of an error in the top of the tenth to surge ahead for the win. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Threshers, who were coming off a four-game sweep of the Palm Beach Cardinals.

Clearwater opened the scoring in a big way in the bottom of the second inning against Lakeland starting pitcher Wilsen Palacios. With two outs, first baseman Brock Stassi singled past Jason King at third, and moved to second on a single to right by shortstop Jose Mojica. Catcher Logan Moore drew a walk to load the bases, and center fielder Kyrell Hudson worked his own free pass to bring home Stassi from third. Second baseman Carlos Alonso sliced the first pitch up the third base line for a bases-clearing double to make it 4-0 in favor of the Threshers.

Lakeland erased the Clearwater lead in the top of the third against Threshers starter Ethan Stewart. Brandon Loy led off with a single to left, and moved to second with two outs on a walk by Jeff McVaney. Aaron Westlake singled through the left side to plate Loy, with McVaney advancing to second on the play. Michael Hernandez pummeled an 0-1 fastball over the left-field wall for a three-run homer to tie the game at 4-4.

The Threshers pulled back ahead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Stassi led off the frame with a towering homer to right field. The round-tripper was Stassi's first of 2013, and it put the Threshers ahead 5-4.

The Flying Tigers equalized quickly on a solo homer from Aaron Westlake leading off the top of the fifth. Hudson dropped a routine fly ball in center, allowing Hernandez to reach second safely with no outs. Hernandez reached third on a ground-out by Patrick Leyland, and came home on a two-out single by Luis Sanz to make it 6-5 in favor of Lakeland.

Clearwater moved back ahead in the bottom of the inning, as right fielder Kelly Dugan led off with a single through the right side. After a pop-out to right field by third baseman Maikel Franco, designated hitter Chris Serritella doubled to right, moving Dugan to third and setting up a big opportunity for the Threshers. Center fielder Aaron Altherr singled through the middle, scoring both runners and giving the Threshers a 7-6 lead.

Lakeland knotted it back up in the top of the eighth against Threshers reliever Ryan O'Sullivan. Tyler Hanover led off with a single to right, and moved to second when Jason Krizan drew a walk. McVaney hit into a force out that retired Krizan at second, but left runners on the corners with one out. Westlake hit a hard grounder to first that Stassi fielded, stepping on first base and firing to second. McVaney beat the throw to second, though, and Hanover scored to tie the ballgame at seven runs apiece.

The Flying Tigers moved back into the lead in the top of the tenth inning. With two outs, Threshers reliever Colton Murray (2-1) hit McVaney in the back with a pitch. Westlake hit a pop fly into left that Mojica got to, but poor communication ruined the play for Clearwater; Altherr slid underneath him, and Mojica dropped the ball. McVaney scored, making it 8-7 Tigers. Clearwater got the leadoff man aboard in the bottom of the tenth, but couldn't score to tie it.

Stewart gave up six runs (five earned) on nine hits and three walks in 4.2 innings pitched. He allowed two homers, hit a batter, and struck out none. Luis Paulino tossed 1.1 scoreless frames of relief, with two strikeouts against a hit and a walk. O'Sullivan allowed a run on one hit and one walk in two innings, whiffing two. Murray took the loss, with an unearned run allowed on two walks and a hit batter in two innings; he fanned three.

Palacios took a no-decision for Lakeland, coughing up seven runs on eight hits and two walks in five innings while striking out six. Ryan Robowski threw three shutout innings of relief, walking two and whiffing four. Will Clinard (1-2) got the win for Lakeland with two scoreless frames, striking out one and giving up two hits.

Clearwater will look to get back in the win column Friday night, with righty Gabriel Arias starting for the Threshers against Lakeland lefty Kyle Ryan. There'll be a Phinley Bobblehead giveaway, presented by Holiday Inn Express! Be amongst the first fans to enter the gates and receive a Phinley Bobble Head sponsored by Holiday Inn Express. Then stick around and enjoy a top-notch concert after the game by the Black Honkeys! It's also a Tampa Bay Times Family Pack night! Present a coupon from the Tampa Bay Times and receive 4 box seats, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas, and 4 bags of chips for only $28! Gates open at 5 p.m., and first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Ben Gellman's pregame show starts at 6:15 p.m. on ThreshersBaseball.com.

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