Another Ninth-Inning Rally Seals 5-3 Win 

WP: Jose Peña (2-0, 6.00)

LP: Patrick Pridgen (2-1, 4.50), BS (1)

SV: Saul Teran (5)

BOX SCORE

LAKELAND, FL – TJayy Walton had two clutch hits late, including the game-tying double in the ninth as the Clearwater Threshers (17-8) came from behind for their second straight win, a 5-3 victory over the Lakeland Flying Tigers (16-9) on Friday night at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Threshers look to make it three straight when they return to Lakeland on Saturday evening.

Aidan Miller doubled in each of the first two innings, but his third-inning double helped start the scoring. The next batter, Walton, hit a ground ball to short off Lakeland starter Zach Lee. Miller advanced to third, but the throw from shortstop Samuel Gil went wide of the first base bag, allowing Miller to score on the error and put the Threshers ahead 1-0.

The Flying Tigers got three hits and two runs with two outs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 2-1 lead. The lead didn’t last long, as the Threshers started a two-out rally of their own in the top of the sixth. Devin Saltiban was hit by a pitch from Lakeland reliever Quinn Gudaitis and moved to second on a wild pitch. Jordan Viars reached with a one-out walk before Pierce Bennett tied the game with a single to right, scoring Saltiban to even the score at 2-2.

A sacrifice bunt gave Lakeland the lead back in the home half of the sixth to bring the score up to 3-2. The lead lasted until the ninth, which started with an Avery Owusu-Asiedu double down the left-field line. Trent Farquhar followed with a single off Lakeland Closer Patrick Pridgen that moved Owusu-Asiedu to third.

With one out in the inning, Walton smacked a double to tie the game, plating Owusu-Asiedu and moving Farquhar to third. Luis Caicuto gave the Threshers the lead for good with a two-RBI single that put the Threshers up 5-3. Saul Teran struck out two in the ninth to seal the comeback and finish the victory at 5-3 for the Threshers.

George Klassen allowed one run on three hits in 4.0 innings, walking three and striking out seven in a no-decision. Jake Eddington allowed two runs on three hits with three walks in 1.2 innings of work. Jose Peña (2-0) earned the victory in 2.1 scoreless and hitless innings with one strikeout. Saul Teran earned the save in a scoreless ninth, striking out two and allowing one hit.

Miller recorded his third game with three or more hits this season...The Threshers are 6-0 when Teran pitches...Caicuto extended his on-base streak to 15 consecutive games...Saltiban smacked two hits for the third time in 2024...Walton became the first Thresher to reach 10 RBIs on the year...Peña retired seven of eight batters without allowing a hit or a walk...The Threshers continue their six-game series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Saturday, May 4...First pitch will be at 6:00 PM at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium...You can purchase tickets for the Threshers season at ThreshersBaseball.com/tickets or by calling 727-467-4457…The Box Office at BayCare Ballpark is also open daily to purchase Threshers tickets…The hours are 10 AM-5 PM Monday through Friday and 10 AM-3 PM on Saturdays.