Reyes Slugs Six RBIs in 10-4 Win 

WP: Danny Wilkinson (6-0, 4.60)

LP: Justin Lange (1-4, 4.58)

BOX SCORE:

TAMPA, FL – Felix Reyes led the way with a career-best six RBIs as the Clearwater Threshers (68-34, 24-13) never trailed in a 10-4 victory over the Tampa Tarpons (50-53, 19-18) on Tuesday night at Steinbrenner Field. The Threshers and Tarpons continue the final regular season series between the two sides on Wednesday evening in Tampa

Emaarion Boyd led off the game with a single up the middle off Tarpons starter Justin Lange. He stole second and moved to third on a balk before Justin Crawford drove him in on an RBI single to open the scoring. Crawford moved to third on an error by Tampa shortstop Brenny Escanio and scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Felix Reyes to make it 2-0 Threshers.

Jordan Viars drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a single by Boyd in the second. Christian Pache reached on a fielder’s choice and a second error by Escanio to load the bases. Lange walked Crawford and Bryan Rincon in back-to-back at-bats to double the Threshers lead to 4-0.

Tampa added three runs in the third on an RBI single by Josh Moylan and a two-run double by Garret Martin. Crawford started a two-out rally in the fourth with a double and moved to third on an error by Tampa first-baseman Moylan that allowed Bryan Rincon to reach. Reyes made the Tarpons pay with an opposite-field three-run homer that extended Clearwater’s lead to 7-3.

A walk and a double in the home half of the fourth helped the Tarpons plate another run, cutting the Threshers advantage to 7-4. Rincon reached on a one-out walk in the sixth and stole second base during Reyes’ at-bat. Reyes then hit a ground-rule double to left off Tarpons reliever Alex Bustamante to plate Rincon and bring the Threshers advantage back to four at 8-4.

Crawford led off the eighth with a single that deflected off the leg of Tarpons reliever Matt Keating. He stole second and moved to third on a groundout. Reyes looped a single into right to score Crawford and extend the Threshers lead to 9-4.

Viars led off the ninth with a single off Tarpons reliever Osiel Rodriguez and moved to third on a double by Chad Castillo. Viars scored on a sacrifice fly from Troy Schreffler to bring the Threshers into double digits with a 10-4 lead. The Threshers kept the score at 10-4 with a scoreless ninth to seal the victory.

Giussepe Velásquez allowed four runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts without a decision in 4.0 frames. Danny Wilkinson (6-0) tossed 2.0 shutout frames with one hit and two walks allowed and three strikeouts to earn the win. Josh Bortka struck out two in 2.0 scoreless and hitless innings. Jonh Henriquez struck out one and walked one without letting up a run or a hit in the ninth.

Reyes set a new career-high with six RBIs...His six RBIs set a new single-game high for the Threshers this season...Wilkinson extended his scoreless streak to 18.0 consecutive innings... Boyd tied his career-high with three hits for the fifth time...Crawford equaled the Threshers high mark for runs scored with three...Viars recorded two hits for the second-straight game...Rincon extended his on-base streak to 12 games...The Threshers continue their six-game road series against the Tampa Tarpons on Wednesday, August 9 at Steinbrenner Field... First pitch is at 6:30 pm... You can purchase tickets for Threshers games at ThreshersBaseball.com/tickets or by calling 727-467-4457.