Clearwater Close to Comeback in One-Run Loss 

WP: Kai Peterson (2-0, 2.84)

LP: Ethan Chenault (0-1, 9.00)

SV: Keiner Leon (1)

DUNEDIN, FL – Keaton Anthony had three of the Clearwater Threshers (7-5) six hits, including a key double to extend the game in the ninth, but the Dunedin Blue Jays (9-3) came out on top in a 5-4 win on Thursday night at TD Ballpark. Clearwater looks to even the series when they return to Dunedin on Friday.

A two-out RBI single started the scoring for Dunedin, putting the Blue Jays ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the third inning. The score remained the same until the top of the sixth when Ricardo Rosario led off the inning with a double off Blue Jays starter Grant Rogers.

Anthony followed Rosario with a double of his own, plating Rosario from second to tie the game. Anthony moved to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch to give the Threshers a 2-1 lead. The first three Blue Jays reached base to start the sixth and all three came around to score, taking a 4-2 lead into the seventh.

Avery Owusu-Asiedu walked to start the seventh and moved to second when Nikau Pouaka-Grego was hit by a pitch. A wild pitch by Blue Jays reliever Kai Peterson moved each runner up one base, allowing Owusu-Asiedu to score from third when Luis Caicuto hit into a fielder’s choice to bridge the gap to 4-3.

Dunedin added another run in the eighth to bring their lead back up to two at 5-3. The Threshers started a late rally in the ninth when Poiaka-Grego drew a walk with one out. Luis Caicuto moved him over with a single and a wild pitch by Blue Jays reliever Aaron Munson moved them to second and third. Anthony plated Pouaka-Grego with a a two-out single to bring the Threshers within run, but they couldn’t tie the game and finished in a 5-4 loss.

George Klassen allowed one unearned run in 5.0 innings, surrendering two hits and two walks while striking out seven in a no-decision. Ethan Chenault (0-1) allowed three runs on one hit with two walks and one strikeout in 1.0 inning of work to take the loss. Jose Peña allowed one run on two hits in 2.0 innings with one walk and six strikeouts.

Anthony tied his season highs with three hits and two RBIs...Peña set the mark for the most strikeouts by a Threshers reliever with six...Caicuto has now reached in all seven games he has played this season...Bryson Ware pinch ran for Anthony in the ninth...Klassen has not allowed an earned run through his first 15.0 innings as a pro...The Threshers continue a six-game road series against the Dunedin Blue Jays on Friday, April 19th with a 6:30 PM first pitch...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.