Early Deficit Pits Threshers in Series Finale

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Clearwater Threshers had chances throughout Sunday afternoon's game to claw their way back against the Dunedin Blue Jays at Jack Russell Memorial Stadium, but two early runs for the home team cost the visitors a chance at a series split in a 2-1 defeat. The loss hand Clearwater its first series loss to open up 2019.

Dunedin (3-1) scored both of its runs in the first against Kyle Young (0-1). The Blue Jays crossed the plate with two outs on an RBI infield single by Demi Orimoloye, which was followed by a run-scoring knock off the bat of Christian Williams.
Young settled down after the rocky first, retiring the final 10 men he faced after walking Riley Adams following the hit by Williams. The 6-foot-10 hurler lasted four innings in his first start of the season, allowing the two runs on four hits, a walk and three punch outs.
Clearwater (1-3) squandered chances late in the game before cracking through the scoreboard in the ninth for the lone tally.
With runners at second and third and one out for Jesus Alastre, Dany Jimenez (SV, 1) uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Daniel Mayer to score from third while pushing Madison Stokes up to third.
After Alastre struck out for the second out, Nick Maton went down swinging on a 2-2 pitch to end the game.
The Threshers stranded nine men on base in the series finale, while going hitless in 13 tries with runners in scoring position.
Justin Dillon (1-0) earned the win for the Blue Jays, shutting out the Threshers on three hits, a walk and five strikeouts across 5.2 frames.
Clearwater will look to turn things around in game one of a four-game series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Monday night. RHP Andrew Brown (0-0, --) makes his 2019 debut for the Threshers against the Flying Tigers' RHP Dane Myers (0-0, --). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:15 p.m. on threshersbaseball.com.