Threshers Rally for Walk-Off on Thursday

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Clearwater Threshers had to make their share of rallies in a thrilling, 7-6 walk-off victory in 11 innings against the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Thursday night at Spectrum Field. The win gives Clearwater the series victory in the four-game series with the first walk-off of 2019.

The fateful inning started with Clearwater (19-20) trailing 6-5. Jhailyn Ortiz started the bottom half as the automatic baserunner at second, and moved up to third on a sacrifice bunt by Ben Aklinski. Daniel Brito followed with a grounder through the hole on the right side to plate Ortiz and knot the game at three apiece.
Dalton Guthrie flew out to center for the second out, but Simon Muzziotti kept the game alive with by drawing a free pass on a full count against Brandyn Sittinger (0-1). Alec Bohm delivered a line-drive single to left, scoring Brito for the game winner.
The Threshers entered the seventh inning trailing 4-0 and without a hit against Lakeland's (15-23) Tarik Skubal, but broke up the no-hit bid on a single to right from Madison Stokes with one out. Colby Fitch moved Stokes up to second on a fielder's choice that resulted in both men being safe, leading into Ortiz's three-run shot into the bullpen in left to pull the home team within a run.
Jonathan Hennigan allowed a run on a wild pitch in the top of the ninth to push the deficit back to two, but Brito delivered his first big hit of the night with a two-run double to the wall in left to tie the game at five and force extras.
Zach Warren (1-0) surrendered an unearned run in the top of the 11^th, but earned the win with two solid inning out of the bullpen. The hard-throwing southpaw gave up just one hit with one walk and one strikeout.
Stokes extended his hitting streak to six games with the single in the seventh. The South Carolina product is 8-for-25 at the plate since May 9.
The Threshers welcome the Charlotte Stone Crabs to town for a three-game weekend set at Spectrum Field beginning Friday night. It has yet to be determined to take the mound for Clearwater against Charlotte's RHP Tommy Romero (1-1, 2.00). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with coverage starting at 6:15 p.m. on threshersbaseball.com.
Friday is Field of Dreams Tribute night at the ballpark. Threshers fans can come out and celebrate the 30^th anniversary of one of the most iconic baseball films in history: Field of Dreams. Fans can meet Dwier Brown, the actor who played Jon Kinsella in the film. Brown will be on-hand to take pictures and sign autographs at Spectrum Field.
Tampa Bay Times Family Fridays returns in the series opener against the Stone Crabs. With a Family Pack coupon, fans can receive two box seats, two hot dogs, two chips, and two soft drinks for just $16! (Redeemable only at the BayCare Box Office at spectrum Field with coupon.)