Kemp and Ricketts Power Threshers Past Early Deficit

WP: Jonh Henriquez (2-0, 1.59)

LP: Brian Gursky (0-1, 7.71)

SV: Orion Kerkering (3)

BOX SCORE:

CLEARWATER, FL – Otto Kemp’s first career home run and Caleb Ricketts’ second-straight three-RBI Day help the Clearwater Threshers (10-6) overcome an early 3-0 deficit and overtake the St. Lucie Mets (5-11) in an 8-5 win at BayCare Ballpark on Tuesday night. The Threshers and Mets continue their six-game series in Clearwater on Wednesday evening.

St. Lucie got on the board first with three-straight two-out hits in the second to plate the first two runs of the ballgame with a 2-0. The Threshers began the third inning by putting the first two on base, with a leadoff single from Bryan Rincon and a walk to Erick Brito. Justin Crawford reached on an error by Mets starter Douglas Orellana to load the bases. Ricketts drove in the first run of the game with a single to right to cut the Mets lead to 2-1. With two outs in the inning, Orellana sent a wild pitch into the backstop that allowed Erick Brito to score and tie the game at two.

The Mets took the lead back in the fourth on an RBI groundout, but the Threshers tied it up in the home half on the third pitch of the inning. Kemp hit his first home run of the year to bring the score back even at four.

Clearwater kept their bats hot in the fifth, with Crawford leading off the inning with a single. He stole second before Ricketts and Gabriel Rincones Jr. walked in back-to-back at-bats to load the bases. Chad Castillo grounded back to the pitcher Brian Gursky on the first pitch he saw, but an errant throw allowed Crawford and Ricketts to score and give the Threshers their first lead of the game at 5-3. Rincones Jr. moved to third on the error, and Kemp drove him in on a sacrifice fly to bring the lead to 6-3.

Ricardo Rosario walked with two outs in the sixth, and Crawford reached on a fielder’s choice and a throwing error by Mets third baseman Jacob Reimer. Ricketts drove them both home on a double down the rightfield line to extend the advantage to 8-3. St. Lucie added two more runs in the seventh on two-out hits by Jett Williams and Reimer, but the Threshers bullpen retired six of the final seven batters to earn an 8-5 win at home.

Jonathan Petit allowed two runs on six hits in 3.0 innings of work, striking out three in a no-decision. Jonh Henriquez (2-0) earned the win in 3.0 frames, allowing one run on three walks and one hit with one strikeout. Andrew Walling surrendered two runs on two hits, walking one and striking out one in 1.0 inning. Jack Dallas struck out two and allowed one hit in 1.0 inning. Orion Kerkering pitched a 1-2-3 ninth with one strikeout to earn the save.

Kemp’s home run was the first of his career... He also drove in his first two runs of 2023... Dallas extended his scoreless streak to 8.1 innings... Kerkering has yet to allow a run in 6.0 appearances... he now leads the league with three saves in three attempts... Ricketts has hit safely in each of the last four games... He has 10 hits and seven RBI in his last 19 at-bats... Viars recorded his first multi-hit game of the season... The Threshers continue their six-game set against the St. Lucie Mets (Single-A, Mets) on Wednesday, April 26th at BayCare Ballpark… First pitch is at 6:30 PM... You can purchase tickets for the Threshers season at ThreshersBaseball.com/tickets or by calling 727-467-4457.