August 7, 2012 - The Clearwater Threshers allowed four home runs to the Tampa Yankees on Tuesday night, falling by a final score of 9-3 at Bright House Field.

The new-look Yankees showed why they are a powerhouse in the FSL North's second half, as Kyle Roller led the way with two homers and five RBI's to help the visitors gain an ever larger gap in the standings.

It was a tough night on the mound for Threshers starter Jesse Biddle, who allowed eight runs (five earned) in just 5.1 innings of work. He allowed a two-run homer to Roller in the first, and a three-run shot in the third to help give Tampa an early cushion.

Anthony Hewitt got the home team on the board in the bottom of the fourth, lining his 13th homer of the year to make it a 5-1 game. Unfortunately, the home team wouldn't get much closer, as the visitors added one in the fifth, two in the sixth, and one in the seventh to push their lead. Slade Heathcott and Zach Wilson added homers for the visitors in those latter innings.

The Threshers lone remaining runs came in their half of the sixth, as Chris Duffy lined an RBI double to right and later scored on an RBI single by Cameron Rupp.

With the loss, the Threshers drop to 23-21 in the second half. Austin Wright will take the mound on Wednesday looking to help avenge Tuesday's loss, as these teams rematch at 7:00pm.

Shark Bites:

Adam Morgan was named Phillies minor league pitcher of the month for July...he also earned a promotion to Reading on Monday... Austin Wright entered play today leading the FSL in ERA with a 3.20 mark... Morgan, Wright, and Jesse Biddle are still the top three strikeout leaders in the league... Drew Naylor was added to the Threshers roster, as he works his way back from injury...he pitched two scoreless innings on Tuesday night in his first appearance.