Ware Drives in Three as Threshers Take Fifth-Straight

WP: Jose Peña Jr. (1-0, 9.00)

LP: Magdiel Cotto (2-2, 3.75)

SV: Drew Garrett (1)

BOX SCORE

CLEARWATER, FL – Bryson Ware was responsible for four of the five runs scored by the Clearwater Threshers (12-5) who took their fifth-straight victory in a 5-3 win over the Bradenton Marauders (3-14) on Wednesday night at BayCare Ballpark. They look for their sixth-straight when Bradenton returns to Clearwater on Thursday.

A two-out single was aided by an error in the top of the first, allowing the Marauders to strike first and open the game at 1-0. With one out in the second inning, the Threshers got their first baserunner when Luis Caicuto reached on an error by Bradenton shortstop Jesus Castillo. On the next pitch, Ware laced a triple to right-centerfield to tie the game at one. Two batters later, Nikau Pouaka-Grego hit a triple of his own, easily scoring Ware and giving the Threshers a 2-1 lead.

Bradenton scored two in the fifth to take the lead 3-2. Luis Caicuto started the Threshers response in the bottom of the sixth, hitting a one-out double to left off Bradenton reliever Magdiel Cotto. Ware hit next and smashed a ball to deep left field for a two-run homer that put the Threshers back ahead 4-3.

Caicuto hit a one-out double in the eighth off Bradenton reliever Garrett McMillan. After a walk to Ricardo Rosario, Pouaka-Grego drove in Caicuto with a double to center to pad the lead to 5-3. After the leadoff man reached in the ninth, Drew Garrett slammed the door, finishing with a strikeout to clinch a 5-3 win.

Micah Ottenbreit allowed three runs on seven hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings for a no-decision. Ethan Chenault walked two in 0.1 innings. Jose Peña (1-0) struck out two in 2.0 scoreless and hitless innings with one walk allowed to earn the win. Drew Garrett got the save, walking one with three strikeouts in 2.0 shutout innings.

Garrett earned his first career save...Ware tied his career-high with three RBIs...He recorded his first multi-hit game of the season...Farquhar and Caicuto extended their on-base streaks to ten games...Farquhar stole multiple bases for the first time this year...None of the three Threshers relievers did not allow a run...Ottenbreit set a career-high with seven strikeouts...Pouaka-Grego tied his career-high with his fourth ever three-hit game...The Threshers continue a six-game homestand against the Bradenton Marauders on Thursday, April 25th with a 6:30 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.