Four-Run Sixth Lifts Threshers Past Flying Tigers, 5-2

BOX SCORE

CLEARWATER, Fl - Fueled by a four-run sixth inning, the Clearwater Threshers pushed by the Lakeland Flying Tigers 5-2 on Thursday night at BayCare Ballpark, securing their first victory of the six-game series.

Left-hander Gabriel Cotto made his 11th start of the season on the mound for Clearwater, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out seven in four innings of work.

Trailing 2-0 in the sixth, the Threshers (2-4, 37-34) pushed home four runs on an RBI double by Leandro Pineda, an RBI single from Jamari Baylor and a big Lakeland fielding error by second baseman Alvaro Gonzalez. The Flying Tigers (3-2, 35-36) committed four costly errors in the game.

Fellow southpaw Tristan Garnett worked two scoreless innings of relief on the bump, allowing only one walk and striking out three in two innings. The left-hander was credited with his first win of the season.

The Threshers used an infield single from Marcus Lee Sang and an RBI single by Micah Yonamine in the seventh to add an insurance run and make it 5-2.

After right-hander Rodolfo Sanchez tossed two scoreless innings, closer Tommy McCollum entered for one hitter in the ninth but was injured and later removed from the game. Righty Konnor Ash followed and finished off the final two outs, including a strikeout to preserve the 5-2 victory.

Clearwater and Lakeland return to action in game four of the six-game set on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. Left-hander Jordi Martinez (2-3, 3.79 ERA) is scheduled to start for the home team on Veterans and Military Appreciation Night. Coverage on the Threshers Broadcasting Network will begin at 6:20 p.m.