Threshers Salvage Finale Behind Markham's 4 Hits

Kevin Markham matched a season high with four hits on Sunday afternoon, leading the Clearwater Threshers in a 5-3 victory over the Florida Fire Frogs at Osceola County Stadium.
Markham finished 4-for-4 with three singles and a triple, and scored three runs as the Threshers (12-11) (44-47) salvaged the finale of the three-game set.
The Threshers grabbed the lead in the third against Florida lefty Kyle Muller, after Grenny Cumana walked, Markham singled, and Jose Gomez put down a sacrifice bunt.
Mickey Moniak worked a full count, then lined a three-run home run to right to put Clearwater on top, 3-0. The round-tripper for Moniak was his third of the season.
Ranfi Casimiro held Florida (12-12) (41-49) off the board through the first three innings in the spot start, before the Fire Frogs plated a pair in the fourth. Jared James and Isranel Wilson each collected RBI doubles in the inning, before right fielder Jose Pujols nabbed Garrison Schwartz at the plate to prevent what would have been the tying run.
Casimiro went a season-high four innings in the no-decision, permitting two runs on five hits and two walks, while striking out five. The right-hander was added to Clearwater from Reading on Saturday.
Alberto Tirado (1-0) took over in the fifth and worked a perfect frame, before Florida rallied to tie in the sixth.
A walk, a one-out single, and a second base on balls loaded the bases for the Fire Frogs. Wilson's sacrifice fly brought home Riley Delgado, knotting the game at three.
Markham set the table for Clearwater in the seventh against reliever Josh Graham (1-5), ripping a one-out triple to center. Gomez brought him home with a single, putting the Threshers back on top, 4-3.
Clearwater added a little breathing room in the ninth, when Markham again kick-started the offense by singling to left with two outs and stealing second. Gomez followed with a base hit to center, scoring Markham to make it 5-3.
Jakob Hernandez finished it off, holding Florida scoreless through the final two innings to earn his first save with Clearwater, and the second of his career.
The Threshers return home to open a six-game homestand on Monday, hosting the Daytona Tortugas at 7 p.m. Alejandro Requena will toe the rubber, and the game will be broadcast live on threshersbaseball.com beginning at 6:45 p.m.