Two-Out Rally in Ninth Spawns Thrilling Comeback Win

WP: Paxton Thompson (1-0, 1.86)

LP: Carlos De Los Santos (0-1, 40.50)

SV: Chase Hopewell (2)

BOX SCORE

LAKELAND, FL – Jordan Viars hit a two-run double with two strikes on him and two outs in the ninth to help the Clearwater Threshers (16-8) come back and take their first win of the series 5-4 over the Lakeland Flying Tigers (16-8) at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday night. Clearwater looks to even the series when they return to Lakeland on Friday

The scoring didn’t start until after out number two in the top of the second, when Nikau Pouaka-Grego laced the first pitch he faced down the right-field line for a double. Dakota Kotowski singled him home to give the Threshers an early 1-0 lead. Lakeland responded with a two-run homer in the home half of the frame to take a 2-1 lead.

Lakeland loaded the bases in the fourth but were held to one run, extending their lead to 3-1. The score stayed at 3-1 until the ninth, starting with a one-out walk drawn by Pouaka-Grego. The rally began with two outs, as Pouaka-Grego advanced to second on a wild pitch by Lakeland reliever Carlos De Los Santos before he scored on a two-out single by Luis Caicuto. TJayy Walton replaced him as a pinch runner and advanced second on a walk to Trent Farquhar.

After a wild pitch from the newly entered reliever Donye Evans, Keaton Anthony drew another walk to load the bases. With two strikes on him, Viars hit a towering fly ball to left field. Lakeland left fielder Brett Callahan dove and missed the catch, allowing the Threshers to take the lead. Two pitches later, Bryson Ware hit a single into left field that Flying Tigers shortstop Samuel Gil stopped from reaching the outfield. Anthony scored from third, but Viars was caught overrunning third base, keeping the score at 5-3 through 8.5 innings.

Gil led off the ninth with a triple and came around to score, but that would be all for Lakeland as Chase Hopewell struck out two in the ninth to earn the save, and seal a comeback 5-4 win for the Threshers

Braydon Tucker allowed three runs on seven hits in 6.0 innings of work with six strikeouts in a no-decison. Paxton Thompson (1-0) earned the win with 2.0 shutout frames, striking out two and allowing three hits. Hopewell earned his second save of the season with two strikeouts and one run allowed in the ninth, surrendering one walk and one hit.

The Threshers handed Lakeland their first home loss of the season...Tucker is the second Threshers starter to pitch 6.0 or more innings in a single game...He tied his career high with six strikeouts in his second straight game...Thompson earned the first win of his career...Viars has three go-ahead hits in the ninth inning for the Threshers...Caicuto extended his on-base streak to 14 games with his ninth-inning RBI...Kotowski has RBI singles in back-to-back games for the first time this season...The Threshers continue their six-game series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Friday, May 3...First pitch will be at 6:30 PM at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium...You can purchase tickets for the Threshers season at ThreshersBaseball.com/tickets or by calling 727-467-4457…The Box Office at BayCare Ballpark is also open daily to purchase Threshers tickets…The hours are 10 AM-5 PM Monday through Friday and 10 AM-3 PM on Saturdays.