Threshers Set Strikeout Record, Dunedin Clinches Wild Card
CLEARWATER, Fla - The Threshers struck out 14 batters to break the all-time, single-season strikeout mark for a Clearwater pitching staff, but the Threshers were eliminated from playoff contention after a 5-3 loss to the Dunedin Blue Jays at Spectrum Field.Dunedin (70-65, 36-30) earns the playoff bid as the wildcard,
CLEARWATER, Fla - The Threshers struck out 14 batters to break the all-time, single-season strikeout mark for a Clearwater pitching staff, but the Threshers were eliminated from playoff contention after a 5-3 loss to the Dunedin Blue Jays at Spectrum Field.
Dunedin (70-65, 36-30) earns the playoff bid as the wildcard, after the Tampa Yankees clinched both halves in the FSL North.
The 14 strikeouts for Threshers pitching gave Clearwater 1,166 total, topping their previous high mark of 1,161 set in 2012.
Clearwater (66-69, 28-37) led early on Thursday, stringing together four consecutive two-out hits in the first to grab a 2-0 lead.
Panas' shot clanked off the wall and caromed away from centerfielder
An inning later the Blue Jays brought it even.
Garcia exited following five innings of two-run ball in the no-decision. He allowed four hits and walked three, striking out four.
JD Hammer struck out the side in the sixth, blowing 96 and 97 mph fastballs by
Bettencourt opened the eighth by getting Biggio out looking for the record-breaking strikeout. With two outs, Panas lofted a drive over the wall in right-center for his second homer of the night to put the Blue Jays up, 3-2.
Clearwater came back in the bottom half, after an infield hit from
Dunedin again played the long ball to plate the decisive runs in the ninth.
The Threshers will celebrate Fan Appreciate Night in the their final home game of the season on Friday, with first pitch at 6:15 p.m.