Threshers Fall in Finale, Series at St. Lucie

Brown's Three Hits Not Enough in 7-2 Loss to Mets

By Kirsten Karbach

August 2, 2015

Aaron Brown led the offense with three hits and a stolen base on Sunday, but Clearwater could not overcome an early deficit in dropping the series finale, 7-2 at St. Lucie.

The Threshers (23-15) suffered just their second series loss in second-half play, after St. Lucie took the final three games of the four-game set.

For the second-straight day, the Mets (19-17) jumped out to a sizable lead early.

St. Lucie struck for two runs in the first against starter Victor Arano (4-10). With one out and Yeixon Ruiz at first, Matt Oberste doubled and Dominic Smith brought them both around by dumping a single to center to put the Mets up 2-0.

The Mets would break it open after a two-out surge in the second.

Jeff McNeil doubled the advantage with a two-base hit to right, and Oberste singled him in to make it 5-0. Arano tossed a pair of wild pitches that advanced Oberste down to third, and after Smith was walked intentionally, Victor Cruzado ripped a triple to right to make it 7-0.

Clearwater broke a 19-inning scoreless drought by plating a run in each of the last two frames.

Brown knocked his third single of the game to set the table in the eighth against rehabbing reliever Erik Goeddel. An out later, Rhys Hoskins lined a base hit to center and, after Dylan Cozens grounded into a forceout at second, Willians Astudillo got Clearwater on the board by pulling a single to left.

The Threshers mounted one last attempt in the ninth. Mitch Walding worked a leadoff walk, and moved to second on a Derek Campbell grounder.

Jesmuel Valentin then collected his first hit and RBI of the season, with a single to center that brought home Walding to cut it to 7-2.

Following a league-wide off day on Monday, the Threshers will be back in action on Dollar Tuesday at Bright House Field, presented by Regions Bank.

Brandon Leibrandt (7-2) is scheduled to take the hill against Lakeland's Jonathan Maciel (4-8) with first pitch at 7 p.m. The call can be heard live on the Threshers Broadcast Network beginning at 6:45 p.m.