Seven-Run Second Boosts Threshers in Blowout

WP: Seth Nightingale (2-0, 4.15)

LP: Justin Lange (0-2, 5.73)

BOX SCORE:

TAMPA, FL – The first eight batters in the top of the second inning reached base for the Clearwater Threshers (9-6) who cruised to a 12-3 win over the Tampa Tarpons (6-9) on Sunday afternoon at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Clearwater will enjoy a day off on Monday before beginning a 12-game homestand with a six-game series against St. Lucie on Tuesday, April 25th.

The Tarpons got on the board first for the second time this series, with an RBI single from Anthony Hall in the first to put Tampa ahead 1-0. Tarpons starter Justin Lange walked the first five batters of the top of the second to score Kendall Simmons and Otto Kemp and give the Threshers a 2-1 lead. The bases remained loaded for Ricardo Rosario, who was hit by Tarpons reliever Alex Bustamante. Cole Moore scored as the lead grew to 3-1. Caleb Ricketts drove a 1-2 pitch into left for the first hit of the inning, plating two runs on the double to make it 5-1.

Gabriel Rincones Jr. was struck out by Tarpons reliever Alex Bustamante, but an errant throw by catcher Omar Martines sailed into right field and allowed Rosario to score from third. Ricketts scored in the next at-bat on a groundout to first by Jordan Viars that gave the Threshers a 7-1 lead.

Clearwater added another run in the third, putting four straight batters on base with two outs. Bustamente hit Erick Brito with a pitch to extend the frame. After a scuffle on the field caused a brief delay, Rosario resumed play with a single that moved Brito to third. Ricketts drove Brito in with a single to bring the lead to 8-1. The Tarpons responded in the home half with an RBI single by Daury Arias to cut the Threshers lead to 8-2.

Another two-out rally began in the top of the fourth this time with a two-out walk to Kemp. Moore singled him to third on a hit-and-run and moved to second when Cade Fergus was hit by a pitch. Brito drove in Moore and Kemp with a two-out single that brought the Threshers into double-digits in a 10-2 lead.

The Threshers added two more in the seventh, again on two-outs after Kendall Simmons drew a walk. Kemp reached on a throwing error by Tarpons third baseman Jesus Rodriguez that brought Simmons to third and Kemp to second. Moore plated them both with an RBI single to give the Threshers a ten-run advantage.

Tampa scored one run in the ninth on an error, but the Threshers stayed in control with two straight outs to finish the game in a 12-3 rout of the Tarpons

Braeden Fausnaught tossed 4.0 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts in a no-decision. Josh Bortka walked three in 1.0 scoreless, hitless inning. Seth Nightingale (2-0), earned the win in 1.0 inning of work, walking one with one hit and two strikeouts. Andrew Walling struck out one and allowed one hit in 1.0 scoreless frame. Jack Dallas allowed one hit and one walk in 1.0 scoreless inning. Wesley Moore finished the game, allowing one unearned run on one hit and striking out two in the final frame.

Ricketts was the first Thresher this season to record ten or more hits in a single series... He tied Brito’s single-game mark with three RBIs on Sunday... His three RBIs set a new career-high... Brito knocked in three runs for the second time this season... Moore has driven in four runs over the last two games... Chad Castillo pinch-hit for Moore in the ninth... The Threshers set a season-high with 12 runs and a nine-run margin of victory... Clearwater’s offense also drew a season-high ten walks... After a day off on Monday, the Threshers begin a twelve-game homestand with a six-game set against the St. Lucie Mets (Single-A, Mets) on Tuesday, April 25th 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.