FSL1 Clearwater Threshers

Walding Goes Yard in Opening Day Loss

Published on April 7, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release


DUNEDIN, Fla. - Tom Eshelman turned in five strong innings in his Clearwater debut, but it was the Dunedin Blue Jays who rallied late to overtake the Threshers, 6-2 on Opening Night at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium..

Eshelman (0-1) was dealing heading into the sixth.

The 21-year old right-hander had retired 15 of the last 16 men to bat against him before Anthony Alford reached on a Malquin Canelo error to start the sixth.

Richard Urena then placed a bunt out in front of the plate, which Gabriel Lino fielded and fired to second in attempt to get the force. Alford beat the throw, and JD Davis followed with a single to center to tie the game at two.

Victor Arano entered in relief with two men in scoring position and nobody out, and came within inches of getting out of the jam unscathed.

Arano induced a popper to short off the bat of Ryan McBroom for the first out, then got David Harris to whiff at a changeup for out number two. DJ Davis stepped in and sent a weak fly into shallow left that found the grass in no-man's land between left fielder Cord Sandberg and the shortstop Canelo, resulting in a two-run single that gave Dunedin the lead.

Eshelman would be charged with four runs - just one earned - on only two hits in his Florida State League debut. He walked one while striking out four in an 80-pitch effort, the longest professional outing of his young career.

Down 1-0 after one, Mitch Walding delivered the Threshers' first run of the season.

With one out, Walding whacked a 2-0 pitch the opposite way off starter Conner Greene, a solo home run to left to knot the game up at one.

The Threshers grabbed the lead two innings later. Walding worked a leadoff walk, and Zach Green followed with a base knock to right to place men at the corners. Cord Sandberg brought Walding home, sending a liner to center for a sacrifice fly to make it 2-1 Threshers.

Sandberg finished 1-for-3 in his first game in a Threshers uniform. The Bradenton, Fla. native roped a double to center in the second inning for his first hit at the high-A level.

Green and Carlos Tocci each collected two hits in the season opener, while 2015 second-round pick Scott Kingery went 1-for-4.

The series moves to Bright House Field for the Threshers home opener on Friday, when the Threshers welcome in their 2 Millionth Fan. The winner will receive a prize pack that includes season tickets for life, a Threshers jersey, a tab at Fenchy's Tiki Hut, and a gift certificate to Diamond Outfitters.

Every fan in the ballpark will receive a scratch-off ticket, with prizes for everyone in attendance. Post-game fireworks will follow the final out, before Smooth D and the Hunks take the stage to kick off the Threshers Summer Concert Series, presented by Leinenkugel and New Belgium.

First pitch is at 6:15 p.m., and the call can be heard live on the Threshers Broadcast Network starting at 6 p.m.

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Florida State League Stories from April 7, 2016


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