Ferrara’s Two RBIs Aid Five-Run Fifth, but Threshers Drop Fourth Straight

WP: Brayden Heidel (2-3, 7.50)

LP: Brian Walters (7-3, 4.67)

SV: Reese Bassinger (2)

BOX SCORE

CLEARWATER, FL – Matthew Ferrara and Reece Moroney combined for five hits and four RBIs at the top of the order for the Clearwater Threshers (67-51, 27-25), but a late surge from the Dunedin Blue Jays (56-60, 26-25) sealed a 9-6 loss for Clearwater on Saturday night at BayCare Ballpark. The Threshers look to finish their last homestand of August on a high note when the Blue Jays return for the Sunday finale.

The Blue Jays scored two runs in the first inning and added one more in the top of the second inning, jumping out to an early three-run lead. Dunedin scored again in the third on a two-out single to jump ahead by four runs. Clearwater bounced back in the fifth inning as Jack Hopko singled off Blue Jays rehabber Joe Mantiply to lead off the bottom of the fifth. After Cade Climie singled, Victor Cardoza reached on a fielder’s choice that advanced Hopko to third base. Reece Moroney then smacked a double off the left-center field wall that plated Hopko for the Threshers’ first run of the night.

Cardoza moved to third on the double, and Matthew Ferrara followed with a single to center that scored two runs, putting the Threshers within one. Ferrara advanced to second on the throw home from the outfield and stole third base before Jonathan Hogart came to the plate. Hogart grounded a 1-1 pitch to the second baseman, Dameury Peña. Ferrara instantly took off from third, beating the throw home on a fielder’s choice to tie the game at four. After two-out walks to Macon Winslow and Matt Quintanar loaded the bases, a wild pitch by newly entered Dunedin reliever Brayden Heidel allowed Hogart to score from third to give Clearwater their first lead of the game at 5-4.

Dunedin responded with three runs in the top half of the sixth inning, immediately retaking the lead by two runs. They extended their lead on a solo home run in the eighth, padding their advantage to three runs. After the first two outs in the top of the ninth inning, a brief rainstorm paused play, sending the game into a rain delay. The Blue Jays scored a run off of outfielder Jonathan Hogart after the rain delay, as the starting right fielder replaced Avila to make it a four-run deficit heading into the bottom of the ninth. Moroney led off the ninth with a base hit. He advanced to second on a throwing error by Blue Jays catcher Giaconino Lasaracina before Hogart drove him in with an RBI single that cut the lead to three runs. Nolan Beltran singled to put the tying run at the plate, but the Threshers couldn’t complete the comeback as they fell 9-6 on Saturday night.

Matthew Fisher surrendered three runs on four hits in 1.0 inning of a no-decision. Orlando Gonzalez allowed one run on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 3.0 innings of relief. Kyler Carmack did not give up a run or a hit in 1.0 inning, walking one and striking out three. Brian Walters (7-3) gave up three runs on two hits with one strikeout in 1.0 inning to take the loss. Luis Avila surrendered two runs on two hits with three strikeouts in 2.2 innings of work. Jonathan Hogart allowed one hit and recorded one out to get the final out of the ninth.

Fisher left the game after the second batter in the second inning...Climie has now hit safely in five consecutive games...Hogart became the first position player to pitch for the Threshers since Tyler Pettorini in May against the Palm Beach Cardinals...Moroney has three games with three hits or more since his pro debut on August 12...The Threshers offense has now scored five runs off two different rehabbing Blue Jays major leaguers...Carmack tossed a scoreless inning in his first outing since August of 2024...The Threshers will conclude a seven-game home series against the Dunedin Blue Jays on Sunday, August 23...First pitch on Sunday afternoon will take place at 12:00 pm...You can purchase Threshers tickets at ThreshersBaseball.com/tickets or by calling 727-467-4457…The BayCare Ballpark Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 10 am – 5 pm...The box office will be open on Saturdays from 10 am - 3 pm...Visit our website at threshersbaseball.com for information on tickets and promotions for the Threshers season.