Threshers Split Twin Bill Against Dunedin

WP: Cole Gilley (7-1, 3.47)

LP: Nolan Higgins (0-1, 9.95)

BOX SCORE

CLEARWATER, FL – Jonathan Hogart provided three hits and at least one run in both games of the Wednesday night doubleheader that the Clearwater Threshers (67-48, 27-22) split with the Dunedin Blue Jays (53-60, 23-25) on Wednesday night at BayCare Ballpark. The Threshers took game one 7-5, and Dunedin won game two 4-2. The series continues with a nine-inning game on Thursday night in Clearwater.

Will Gasparino led off the first game with a single to left-center field and promptly stole second base. He advanced to third on a balk by Blue Jays starter Miguel Pantoja before a single by Hogart plated Gasparino for the game’s first run in the bottom of the first. Dunedin responded with a solo home run to lead off the top of the second inning to tie the game at one. Matthew Ferrara walked with one out in the fourth inning, quickly stealing second base. He stole third right after second base, and an errant throw by Blue Jays catcher Owen Carapellotti got past the third baseman into left field, allowing Ferrara to score and giving the Threshers a 2-1 lead.

Dunedin scored two in the top of the fifth to take their first lead of the game by one run. Reece Moroney started a rally with a leadoff single on the first pitch of the bottom of the fifth. Jack Hopko walked, and Tyler Spangler singled to load the bases. After the second out, Caden Bogenpohl doubled to the left field wall to clear the bases and give the Threshers a two-run lead. Immediately afterward, Ferrara bunted Bogenpohl to third base before stealing second. Both scored on a Macon Winslow single, doubling the Threshers’ advantage.

Dunedin belted a two-run home run in the sixth inning to cut the Threshers’ lead to two runs, but a 1-2-3 seventh inning sealed the win in game one for the Threshers, taking the victory 7-5. Cole Gilley (7-1) earned the win with three runs allowed on three hits in 5.0 innings, walking two and striking out three. Orlando Gonzalez finished the final 2.0 frames with two runs on one hit, one walk, and four strikeouts.

GAME TWO BOX SCORE

WP: Landon Waters (1-0, 9.39)

LP: Angel Liranzo (1-1, 9.64)

SV: Reese Bassinger (1)

After a scoreless first inning, Hogart led off the top of the second with a single to begin game two against Dunedin starter Karson Ligon. After Nolan Beltran was hit by a pitch, Matt Quintanar hit into a fielder's choice to third. Beltran was out at second, but Dunedin’s second baseman, Dameury Peña, sailed the relay to first into the Blue Jays' first base dugout, allowing Hogart to score the first run of the second game from third base. Quintanar advanced to second on the error and scored on an RBI single by Cade Climie to double the Threshers’ lead.

A solo homer and a two-run home run in the bottom of the second brought Dunedin their first lead, taking over by one run after the second inning of game two. A solo home run in the third doubled Dunedin’s advantage to two runs. The Threshers stranded a runner in scoring position in the sixth inning, and they couldn’t complete the comeback, falling 4-2 in game two to split the doubleheader against Dunedin.

Angel Liranzo (1-1) surrendered four runs on three hits and three walks with three strikeouts in 3.1 innings to take the loss. James Tallon walked two and gave up two hits in 1.2 scoreless innings. Brian Walters retired all three batters he faced in the sixth for a scoreless and hitless frame.

Gilley is tied with Walters for the Threshers’ lead in wins...Ferrara set a season-high with three successful steals in the first game...Gasparino has recorded two hits in each of his last three games at BayCare Ballpark...Clearwater served as the visiting team in game two of the doubleheader...Hogart had hits in both games of the doubleheader to extend his hit streak to five-straight games...The Threshers will continue a seven-game home series against the Dunedin Blue Jays on Thursday, August 20...First pitch on Thursday evening will take place at 6:30 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.