Evanko's Strong Start Not Enough in Series Opening Loss to First-Place Dunedin

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Clearwater Beach Dogs fell in a 3-1 pitchers' duel to the Dunedin Blue Jays at Spectrum Field on Friday night to open a three-game set. The loss sets the Philadelphia Phillies affiliate 5.5 games behind Dunedin with 13 games remaining in the first half.

After concluding an 8-3 road trip, Clearwater (28-26) found itself in an early hole. After a walk and an infield hit, Dunedin (33-20) plated a run on an RBI single from Alejandro Kirk. A second run came home after an error from third baseman Jake Scheiner and the FSL North leaders grabbed a 2-0 lead.
Ethan Evanko (2-1) would shake off the early trouble and toss five shutout frames with just six hits the rest of the way. The 23-year old southpaw would set a season-high with six innings and a career-high with seven strikeouts. Despite the loss, Evanko's start was the 17^th quality start of the season for Clearwater.
The Beach Dogs would cut into the deficit in the fifth inning when Jake Scheiner sent a line drive over the left field wall to make it a 2-1 game. The product of Houston hit his second home run of the season.
Despite the round-tripper, D-Jay starter Joey Murray (2-0) held the Florida State League's top hitting team to just one run through six frames. The right-hander would allow four hits and two walks while earning his second win.
The Beach Dogs had chances in the later innings, but double plays in the sixth and eighth ended potential rallies. Clearwater finished with just four hits and left three runners on base. Right-hander Dany Jimenez would earn his fourth save in five tries for Dunedin with a scoreless ninth.
Despite the offensive struggles against Dunedin, slugger Alec Bohm kept one of his streaks alive. The No. 1 prospect for the Philadelphia Phillies pushed his on-base streak to 11 games with two walks. His hit streak ended at 10 with an 0-for-2 night.
Clearwater will change back to the Threshers and look to even the three-game series with Dunedin on Saturday night at Spectrum Field. LHP Damon Jones (2-3 1.58) will get the ball for the Threshers against Blue Jays' RHP Graham Spraker (4-2 2.23). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:15 p.m. on threshersbaseball.com.
Saturday night's contest is Veterans and Military Appreciation Night, which features post-game fireworks. The first 1,000 guests will receive a Hometown Heroes Military Baseball Card Set. A portion of every ticket sold will benefit the Stano Foundation and Haley House Fund.