Clearwater Blanked by Dunedin, 8-0

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Clearwater Threshers split a four-game series with the Dunedin Blue Jays after suffering their first shutout loss of the season, 8-0 on Sunday afternoon at Bright House Field.

Chase Harris turned in a 2-for-3 performance out of the leadoff spot, but the Threshers offense was held scoreless by Jayson Aquino (2-2) and the Dunedin bullpen.

Victor Arano opened the game with two hitless innings, before the Blue Jays rallied for five runs against him in the third.

Dunedin (11-13) kicked off the rally with four consecutive singles against Arano (0-2) to open the frame. Jason Leblebijian was then hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Matt Dean drew a walk to push home another run to make it 3-0.

LB Dantzler's two-run single made it a 5-0 game, and ended the day for Arano.

The Threshers right-hander would be charged with five runs on five hits and three walks across 2.2 innings in the loss.

Yacksel Rios entered in relief, and shut the door for the next 3.1 innings. Rios, making his first relief appearance of the season, allowed just an infield single and a walk, while striking out five.

The Blue Jays opened it up in the seventh inning by tacking on three unearned runs against Cody Forsythe. After an two-out error on shortstop Devin Lohman extended the inning, Derrick Loveless hit a three-run homer to make it an 8-0 ballgame.

Clearwater (12-12) will look to bounce back as the Threshers welcome in the Brevard County Manatees for three games, beginning on Feeding Frenzy Monday at 7 p.m. Mark Leiter, Jr. (1-0) will make his first start of the season, opposed by Brandon Woodruff (0-1). The call can be heard live on the Threshers Broadcast Network beginning at 6:45 p.m.