Crawford Homers Twice, Threshers Earn Split

CLEARWATER -- The Clearwater Threshers hit four home runs en route to an 8-7 win over the Daytona Cubs on Friday night at Bright House Field.

The Threshers (21-27) earned a series split against the first-place Cubs (27-18) thanks to a six-run seventh inning. Clearwater benefitted from big flies from Brian Pointer and J.P. Crawford in the inning.

Crawford and Pointer each had 3-for-4 performances, with Crawford homering twice in the game. Crawford now has six home runs in a Threshers' uniform, and nine total between Lakewood and Clearwater.

Jordan Guth got the start for the Threshers and took a no-decision. Guth tossed 5.2 innings and gave up two runs, one earned, on four hits while walking four and striking out six.

Guth gave way to Cody Forsythe with two outs in the sixth and runners at the corners. Forsythe (2-3) got the victory after throwing 2.1 scoreless innings in relief.

Clearwater's left-hander had to work out of two different jams in the sixth and the eighth. When Forsythe entered in the sixth, he struck out Jordan Hankins to keep the game tied at two.

In the eighth, Forsythe struck out Hankins again and got Gioskar Amaya to pop out to escape a bases loaded, one-out situation.

In the seventh, the Threshers broke the game wide open against Daytona reliever Nathan Dorris. Clearwater sent nine men to the plate in the six-run inning against Dorris (4-6). In addition to Pointer and Crawford's home runs, Anthony Phillips collected a two-run single and Roman Quinn had an RBI double.

Jose Rosario received a no-decision after throwing six solid innings for the Cubs. Rosario allowed two runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking one.

Lee Ridenhour got the first two outs in the ninth inning but surrendered five earned runs, all coming with two outs. Ulises Joaquin came in to save the game, and threw one pitch to close it out and notch his fourth save of the year, getting Hankins to fly out to center.

The Threshers now hit the road for a four-game series against Brevard County. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, with game one getting underway at 5:05 p.m. Colin Kleven will start for Clearwater in the first game while Nic Hanson gets the ball in game two.