Whorff Dominates D-Jays as Mussels Even Series
DUNEDIN, Fla. (August 2, 2023) – Jarret Whorff fanned a career-high nine batters Wednesday, turning in his longest professional start to lead the Mighty Mussels to a 5-2 win over the Dunedin Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. The Louisiana Tech product went a career-best six innings, allowing just two hits
DUNEDIN, Fla. (August 2, 2023) – Jarret Whorff fanned a career-high nine batters Wednesday, turning in his longest professional start to lead the Mighty Mussels to a 5-2 win over the Dunedin Blue Jays at TD Ballpark.
The Louisiana Tech product went a career-best six innings, allowing just two hits without walking a single batter. The 24-year-old averaged 93.6 mph on his fastball, inducing eight whiffs on just ten swings against his changeup.
Fort Myers (47-51, 13-19) wasted no time jumping in front for the second straight night. Triple-A rehabber Hernan Perez began the game with a single to center before advancing to third on a balk and a passed ball. Danny De Andrade then drove in Perez on a groundout to make it 1-0. With two outs, Luke Keaschall singled to center and promptly stole second base. Nate Baez then dropped a single into center to extend the lead to 2-0.
Still up by that margin in the top of the third, Perez walked to lead off the frame. Two batters later, Ricardo Olivar lifted a two-run homer to left to double the lead and make it 4-0 Mussels.
In the bottom of the inning, Angel Del Rosario singled up the middle to lead things off He then stole second before moving to third on a wild pitch. With two outs, Nick Goodwin singled past Perez at shortstop to get Dunedin (45-53, 13-19) on the board at 4-1.
Fort Myers tacked on a run in the top of the eighth on two singles and a wild pitch before Dunedin mounted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth. After two straight walks, Del Rosario ripped a single into left to cut the deficit to 5-2. The Mussels then turned to Gabriel Yanez, who struck out J.C. Masson to end the game and notch his second save.
Twins’ second round pick Luke Keaschall notched three hits Wednesday, and has now begun his Low-A career by going 5-for-7 with two doubles.
The Mussels will look to take the series lead at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. RHP Juan Mercedes (1-0, 11.12) gets the start for Fort Myers, opposed by LHP Kendry Rojas (3-4, 3.65) of the Blue Jays. Coverage begins at 6:15 p.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.