Tobias Crushes Go-Ahead Homer in 2-1 Win
Published on August 6, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Josh Tobias crushed a solo home run to break a one-all tie in the eighth inning on Saturday, providing the difference-maker as the Clearwater Threshers earned the series win with a 2-1 victory over the Lakeland Flying Tigers at Bright House Field.
Drew Anderson held the Flying Tigers (13-26) scoreless through six innings in the start on Saturday, scattering five hits and a walk. Anderson exited with Clearwater up 1-0, but did not factor in the decision.
The Threshers (27-15) jumped ahead in the bottom of the first, cashing in on a leadoff error to plate the game's first run.
Zach Coppola reached base on a miscue by shortstop AJ Simcox to lead off the inning, and advanced to second when third baseman Zac Shepherd made a diving stop of Tobias' ground ball.
Carlos Tocci followed by knocking a single to left to plate Coppola, putting Clearwater ahead 1-0.
Anderson faced the minimum through four innings before Lakeland led off the fifth with back-to-back singles. The right-hander stranded them there, inducing a popout to first and blazing fastballs by Shepherd and Drew Longley for a pair of strikeouts to end the inning.
Ranfi Casimiro took over in the seventh, and Lakeland managed to tie the ballgame following a leadoff walk and a single.
With runners at second and third, Wade Hinkle pulled a grounder to Kyle Martin at first that resulted in a reverse-force double play, but Kade Scivicque crossed the plate to tie the ballgame at one.
AJ Ladwig held Clearwater to just an unearned run on three hits in seven innings in the start, before leaving in favor of Jairo Labourt to start the eighth.
Down in the count two strikes, Tobias unloaded with a no-doubt blast to left to give the Threshers a 2-1 lead. The long ball was the first for Tobias in a Threshers uniform, and his eighth total this year between Clearwater and Lakewood.
Casimiro (8-7) worked a perfect ninth inning to finish it off and lock down the series victory.
The Threshers will go for the sweep on Sunday as the teams wrap up the set at Henley Field in Lakeland, with first pitch at 1 p.m. John Richy (3-4) takes the hill against Spencer Turnbull (0-0), and the game will be broadcast live on threshersbaseball.com and the TuneIn app starting at 12:45 p.m. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
Florida State League Stories from August 6, 2016
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- Varner Helps Garner Thrilling Win - Daytona Tortugas
- Tobias Crushes Go-Ahead Homer in 2-1 Win - Clearwater Threshers
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