Blue Jays Take Wrap-Up Game, Prevent Six-Game Sweep

Clearwater, FL – The Dunedin Blue Jays spoiled the Clearwater Thresher’s hopes for a six-game sweep in the final game of the series on Sunday afternoon.

RHP Ryan Jennings made his seventh start of the year and ninth overall appearance and was fantastic again on the back of his best outing of the season last week against Fort Myers. Jennings went five shutout innings, giving up just four hits, striking out three while walking none.

The lineup for Dunedin gave Jennings an early cushion in the top of the first inning. MLB-rehabber Santiago Espinal drew a walk, and Glenn Santiago was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second for Roque Salinas who hit an RBI-single to get the scoring started. That was all the Blue Jays would get for the first five innings, with Threshers’ starter RHP Estibenzon Jimenez settling down after giving up the early run, exiting after four innings, and a perfect first inning of relief for RHP Jaydenn Estanista.

But Estanista’s second inning didn’t go quite as well for him as his first did. Santiago drew a walk on a full count to lead off the top of the sixth, and Salinas came up next, hitting his first triple of the season, recording his second RBI of the game to double Dunedin’s lead. After a walk to Jaden Rudd and a fly out by Robert Robertis, Estanista balked, moving Rudd to second and scoring Salinas to make it 3-0.

Estanista was replaced by RHP Seth Nightingale with two outs, who got Clearwater out of the inning and through the seventh with no further damage. Meanwhile, RHP Irv Carter entered in the bottom of the sixth for his first appearance out of the bullpen this season. Carter went three shutout innings in relief, allowing just one hit while effectively using his changeup and slider to strike out three.

In the ninth up 3-0, the Blue Jays tacked on two runs for added insurance with Santiago knocking in a run, and Salinas recording his third RBI of the game. RHP Grayson Thurman came in for the bottom of the inning with a five-run advantage, allowing a run on a solo home run by Cade Fergus, but getting the final three outs for the 5-1 victory.

With the victory Sunday, the Blue Jays snap a six-game losing streak, moving back to within a game of .500 at 25-26. Dunedin has the day off Monday, before traveling to Bradenton for a six-game set against the Marauders, the second series of a twelve-game road trip. First pitch for Tuesday’s opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and the entire series will be available live on the Dunedin Blue Jays Radio Network.