Threshers Drop Both Games of Doubleheader to Tarpons

BOX SCORE (Game 1) BOX SCORE (Game 2)

TAMPA, Fl - Following a weather-related postponement on Friday, the Clearwater Threshers fell in both games of a doubleheader against the Tampa Tarpons to open the second half on Saturday night at Steinbrenner Field.

Trailing 2-0 in Game 1, the Threshers (0-2, 35-32) rallied to tie the game on a solo home run by Kendall Simmons and an RBI sac-fly from catcher Arturo De Freitas.

Left-hander Jordi Martinez made the start for Clearwater on the mound, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out six in five solid innings of work.

The seven inning contest remained tied 2-2 and entered extras, and despite scoring one run in both the eighth and ninth frames, the Tarpons (2-0, 29-39) rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth off righty Rodolfo Sanchez for a 5-4 walk-off victory. The winning run scored on a wild pitch.

In Game 2, right-hander Jean Cabrera made the start and ran into a trouble immediately. Cabrera allowed five runs on six hits, including three home runs in the first inning that gave the home team an early 5-0 lead.

The Tarpons pushed home another run in the the third and two more in the fifth off righty Alex McKenney, cruising to an 8-0 shutout victory and a sweep of the twin bill. The Threshers managed only three hits in the second contest.

Clearwater and Tampa wrap up the six-game series on Sunday afternoon. Left-hander Matt Osterberg (0-5, 4.63 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Threshers, with first pitch set for 12:00 p.m. Coverage on the Threshers Broadcasting Network begins at 11:50 a.m.