CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Edgar Cabral drove in a career-high four runs, but Clearwater fell short in the series opener on Thursday night against the Florida Fire Frogs, 7-5 at Spectrum Field.Cabral went 3-for-5 on the night with a three-run home run and an RBI single.Roman Quinn started in center for
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Edgar Cabral drove in a career-high four runs, but Clearwater fell short in the series opener on Thursday night against the Florida Fire Frogs, 7-5 at Spectrum Field.
Cabral went 3-for-5 on the night with a three-run home run and an RBI single.
Roman Quinn started in center for his first rehab appearance in Clearwater. The 25-year-old was hitting .289 over 23 games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley before being placed on the disabled list on May 15. Quinn underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right middle finger.
The Fire Frogs (14-13) (43-51) struck first after Brett Cumberland hit a two-out double and Jared James brought him home with a soft hit to shallow right, giving Florida the early 1-0 advantage.
Clearwater (15-12) (47-48) answered with a run of its own in the bottom of the first. Quinn singled on the first pitch of the inning and promptly stole second base. Cabral then shot a line drive into left field to tie it up, 1-1.
Florida retook the lead in the second after Kurt Hoekstra drew a one-out walk and Jordan Rodgers roped a line drive into right-center for a double to put the Fire Frogs back on top, 2-1. Florida added on some insurance in the third after Riley Delgado singled and Jared James hit a no-doubt two-run shot extending the lead to 4-1.
Cabral rocketed a three-run opposite field home run to knot it up at four in the home half of the inning. Quinn walked to start off the inning, and after two ground outs, Jose Pujols walked to put two runners on for Clearwater. After Cabral's three run long ball brought them home, Kyle Martin followed suit, crushing a solo shot over the wall in dead center to push the Threshers ahead, 5-4.
The Fire Frogs battled back in the sixth inning after a Braxton Davidson single to right field and a walk put two men on for Florida, then an error on second baseman Raul Rivas allowed Davidson to score. Cristian Pache hit a ground out to shortstop Jose Gomez, but Hoekstra scored to give the Fire Frogs a 6-5 lead.
Florida extended its lead in the seventh. James drew a four-pitch walk to start the inning, and Davidson hit a line drive double into right field. Gomez threw a spot-on relay that would have gotten James out at the plate, but Luke Williams was called for obstruction, allowing the run to score and extending Florida's lead to 7-5.
McKenzie Mills (0-4) took the loss for the Threshers. He pitched 5.1 innings in the start for Clearwater, was charged with six runs, four earned, on seven hits while striking out three and permitting three walks.
Blake Quinn gave up one run on two hits while striking out three and allowing two walks. Will Hibbs went two scoreless in relief on one hit, striking out two and allowing one walk.
The series continues Friday at home, as Spectrum Field hosts the 13th annual Pitch for Pink. Ramon Rosso (2-1) takes the hill against Kyle Muller (9-2). Kirsten Karbach will be on the call for the Threshers Broadcast Network with the pregame show starting at 6 p.m.
