FSL1 Clearwater Threshers

Walding's Ninth Dinger Powers 4-1 Win

June 12, 2016 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Clearwater Threshers News Release


CLEARWATER, Fla. - Mitch Walding launched his career-high ninth home run of the season in the first inning, helping power the Clearwater Threshers past the Bradenton Marauders by a 4-1 final on Sunday afternoon.

Walding has homered in back-to-back ballgames, and is on an 8-for-17 tear (.471) over his last five contests.

Clearwater (35-26) struck quickly against Jonathan Brubaker (0-1) in his Florida State League debut.

Carlos Tocci drove a double deep to left-center to open the home half of the first, and advanced to third on Andrew Pullin's fly ball to center. Scott Kingery followed with a drive to center for a sacrifice fly, scoring Tocci for the 1-0 lead.

The Threshers were not done there, as Kyle Martin stepped in and belted a double to the warning track in left-center with two outs. Brubaker fell behind 3-0 on Walding, who pummeled the next offering for a no-doubt, two-run bomb to put the Threshers up 3-0.

Elniery Garcia took it from there, working his way out of bases-loaded situation in the second and holding the Marauders (34-27) at bay through six scoreless innings. Garcia lowered his ERA to just 1.97, limiting Bradenton to three hits and three walks while striking out five in the victory.

Martin gave him some insurance in the fifth.

With two down, Kingery shot a double to right-center for his Florida State League-leading 21st two-bagger of the year. Martin followed by pulling a sharp grounder down the first base line to knock home Kingery with his 37th RBI of the season.

Bradenton's lone tally came in the eighth with Victor Arano on the hill. With two men in scoring position after a passed ball, a Jordan Luplow grounder to short brought home Jeff Roy to disrupt the shutout.

Ulises Joaquin twirled a perfect ninth inning, striking out the final two men he faced to lock down his fourth save in as many tries.

Clearwater and Bradenton will battle in game two of the series on Feeding Frenzy Monday at Bright House Field, with first pitch at 7 p.m. Yacksel Rios (1-1) is scheduled to take the hill against lefty Stephen Tarpley (1-1), and all the action will be broadcast live on the Threshers Broadcast Network starting at 6:45 p.m.

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Florida State League Stories from June 12, 2016


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