Three Threshers Homers Aren’t Enough in Loss
WP: Connor O’Halloran (2-0, 2.70) LP: Hunter Loyd (1-1, 32.40) DUNEDIN, FL – Aidan Miller, TJayy Walton and Avery Owusu-Asiedu all homered for the Clearwater Threshers (6-4), but the Dunedin Blue Jays (8-2) took the series opener 10-5 at TD Ballpark on Tuesday night. The Threshers look to bounce back
WP: Connor O’Halloran (2-0, 2.70)
LP: Hunter Loyd (1-1, 32.40)
DUNEDIN, FL – Aidan Miller, TJayy Walton and Avery Owusu-Asiedu all homered for the Clearwater Threshers (6-4), but the Dunedin Blue Jays (8-2) took the series opener 10-5 at TD Ballpark on Tuesday night. The Threshers look to bounce back in a Wednesday morning game in Dunedin
Devin Saltiban started the second inning with a leadoff single off Blue Jays starter Connor O’Halloran. Walton followed with a two-run home run to the opposite field to give the Threshers a 2-0 lead. They held the shutout until the fifth, when the Blue Jays put up five runs to take the lead 5-2.
Tucker Toman started the sixth with a solo homer to bump the Blue Jays advantage to 6-2. Miller answered back, taking Blue Jays Reliever Irv Carter deep in the top of the seventh to cut the deficit down to 6-3.
Dunedin added four more runs in the bottom of the seventh to take a 10-3 lead. With one out in the top of the eighth, Walton was hit by a pitch and replaced by Jordan Viars as a pinch-runner. Avery Owusu-Asiedu launched a home run to left field that brought the deficit to five runs. The Threshers were retired in order in the ninth and dropped the first game of the series 10-5.
Luke Russo tossed 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and four walks with three strikeouts in a no-decision. Hunter Loyd (1-1) took the loss allowing five runs on five hits and a walk in 0.2 innings. Chase Hopewell allowed three runs in 1.1 innings of work on two hits with three strikeouts. Trey Dillard allowed two runs on two hits with two walks and four strikeouts in the final 2.0 frames.
Walton is the first Thresher to homer in back-to-back games this season...He is also the first Thresher to hit multiple home runs in 2024...Miller became the second with a solo homer in the seventh... Owusu-Asiedu's homer was the first for him in 2024...Bennett had two hits for the third time this season...Saltiban recorded his first multi-hit game of the season...The Threshers continue a six-game road series against the Dunedin Blue Jays on Wednesday, April 17th with a 12:00 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.