Bullpen Brightens Night for Threshers in Second-Straight Loss

WP: Joe Adametz (1-0, 0.96)

LP: Micah Ottenbreit (1-1, 4.58)

BOX SCORE

LAKELAND, FL – Jaydenn Estanista’s 2.0 shutout innings provided a spark for the Clearwater Threshers (15-8) but a four-run fifth inning for the Lakeland Flying Tigers (16-7) tipped the scales in Lakeland’s favor in a 6-1 loss for the Threshers on Wednesday night at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Threshers look for their first win of the series in a Thursday night tilt in Lakeland.

A single and back-to-back one-out doubles gave the Flying Tigers a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. The Threshers responded in the fourth, beginning the frame with Devin Saltiban drawing a leadoff walk off Lakeland starter Joe Adametz. Raylin Heredia singled, moving Saltiban to second, and a groundout moved both runners into scoring position. With two outs in the inning, Dakota Kotowski hit a hard line drive to left that scored Saltiban, but Heredia was thrown out at the plate, keeping the Threshers behind 2-1.

Lakeland piled on four more runs on four extra-base hits in the bottom of the fifth to extend their lead to 6-1. The Threshers got a runner on in the ninth but a game-ending double play gave Lakeland a 6-1 win.

Micah Ottenbreit (1-1) allowed six runs on seven hits in 4.1 frames and allowed two walks to take the loss. Brandon Beckel did not allow an earned run in 0.2 innings, surrendering one hit and one walk. Estanista tossed 2.0 scoreless and hitless innings with two walks and four strikeouts. Jonathan Petit pitched 1.0 shutout inning with one walk allowed and one strikeout.

Clearwater’s bullpen allowed one inherited runner and prevented Lakeland from scoring after the fifth...Miller has reached base safely in four consecutive games...Heredia returned from the IL with a hit in his first game with the Threshers in over two weeks...Thomas and Kotowski led the Threshers with a season-best two hits each...The Threshers continue their six-game series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Thursday, May second...First pitch will be at 6:30 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.