Tocci Homers in 9-8 Win at Dunedin
Published on September 3, 2015 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release
DUNEDIN, Fla. - Carlos Tocci lofted his second homer in the fourth inning, and the Clearwater Threshers punched out 15 hits in a 9-8 win over the Dunedin Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.
The Threshers (40-24) withstood a late surge and hung on for the series-opening win, in what was the final road game of the regular season. Clearwater also reached 40 wins in a half for the first time since 2007, when the Threshers won 44 games in the second half on their way to an FSL Championship.
Clearwater leapt out to a 4-0 lead on Thursday, tagging Alonzo Gonzalez for four runs on six hits in the first inning.
Up 4-2 in the fourth, Tocci drove a 2-1 pitch over the wall in left for his second homer in a Threshers uniform, and his fourth overall this season. The four longballs are a career-high for the 20-year old, while his 28 extra-base hits also match a career-best.
Dunedin (28-36) rallied back to tie it in the fifth.
LB Dantzler's RBI single cut the lead to 5-3, and Matt Dean followed by unleashing a two-run homer off the top of the batter's eye in center to knot the game up at five.
The tie held only briefly, as the Threshers pushed across the go-ahead against reliever Brad Allen (1-5) in the sixth.
Malquin Canelo walked with one out, and with two down Jesmuel Valentin blooped a double that settled into shallow left field untouched, allowing Canelo to race across and make it 6-5 Threshers.
Ricardo Pinto (9-2) left in line for the victory, after allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks in five innings. The win was Pinto's sixth in his last six starts.
Rhys Hoskins gave the Threshers some breathing room, knocking a two-out RBI single in the eighth. After three consecutive singles started the ninth, Derek Campbell delivered a sacrifice fly, and Valentin grounded into an RBI fielder's choice to put Clearwater up 9-5.
The Threshers would need every one of those insurance runs, as Dunedin battled back in the bottom half.
The Blue Jays cut the deficit to one and placed the tying run in scoring position with two outs, before Ulises Joaquin cut down Aaron Attaway swinging to end the ballgame.
Clearwater will host Dunedin for game two of the series on Fan Appreciation Night on Friday, featuring a Rufus Bobblehead giveaway and a post-game concert by Hunks of Funk. First pitch is at 6:30 p.m., as John Richy (0-0) gets the ball against Derek Blacksher (0-1).
Playoff tickets are on sale now as Clearwater will host Daytona in game two of the Florida State League North Championship series on Wednesday, September 9 at 7 p.m. Fans can purchase seats here, at the Threshers Box Office, or by calling 727-467-4457.
Florida State League Stories from September 3, 2015
- Dunedin Homers Three Times But Drops Game to Clearwater - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Tocci Homers in 9-8 Win at Dunedin - Clearwater Threshers
- Tortugas Clinch I-95 Trophy with Win vs. BC - Daytona Tortugas
- Marauders Now within One of First Place - Bradenton Marauders
- Miracle Pound out 14 Hits in 9-5 Victory over Crabs - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Sosa Powers Marauders to 4-2 Win over Mets - St. Lucie Mets
- Swim, Smith Earn FSL Postseason All-Star Honors - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Smith Wins FSL Player of the Year Honor - St. Lucie Mets
- Tortugas LHP Amir Garrett Named FSL Co-Pitcher of the Year - Daytona Tortugas
- Tyler Wade Selected to the FSL Post-Season All-Star Team - Tampa Yankees
- Ortega and McFarland Named FSL Postseason All-Stars - Brevard County Manatees
- Meadows and Weiss Named End-Of-Season All-Stars - Bradenton Marauders
- Daytona Tortugas Announce 2016 Schedule - Daytona Tortugas
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