Bats Back Wentz in Series-Clinching Win

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (July 14, 2018) - The Florida Fire Frogs' offense and pitching worked in perfect harmony on Saturday night, as Joey Wentz  fired in another 6.2 innings of scoreless baseball in an 11-3 victory against the Clearwater Threshers to clinch the three-game series.

Wentz (3-2) scattered five hits while walking a man, but also picked up five strikeouts on his way to his third victory of 2018. The Atlanta Braves' ninth-ranked prospect (MLB.com) had just one inning in which he had more than one base runner on at the same time, and worked out of the fifth inning with a fielder's choice, a fly out and a punchout.
The southpaw has not allowed a run since surrendering a home run on the fourth pitch of the game to the Bradenton Marauders on June 13, covering 31.1 innings. Since that long ball, the Leawood, Kan. Native has walked only four while picking up 23 strikeouts.
Florida (12-11, 41-48) opened up the scoring in the fourth with a two-run shot to right from Garrison Schwartz  (2x4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI). The home team pushed across two more runs to open up a four-run lead with RBI knocks from Riley Delgado  (3x5, R, RBI) and Brett Cumberland  (1x4, R, 2 RBI, BB) in the fifth.
The Fire Frogs broke the game open with a seven-run seventh to make the score 11-0. Marcus Mooney  (1x3, 2 R, 2B) started the frame by being hit by a pitch from Will Hibbs on the first delivery from the reliever. Cristian Pache  (2x5, 2 R) and Delgado put together back-to-back singles for Cumberland, who drew a free pass to force home a run.
After Braxton Davidson  (1x5, 2B) struck out, Jared James  (3x4, 2 R, 3B, 3 RBI) cleared the bases with a three-bagger to the right-field corner. Schwartz was hit by a pitch to put runners at the corners, forcing Hibbs from the game for Addison Russ.
The second pitcher of the inning gave up an RBI groundout to Jordan Rodgers  (1x4, RBI) and an run-scoring double to Lucas Herbert  (1x4, R, 2B, RBI) to finish off the scoring after the stretch.
Clearwater (11-11, 43-47) managed to piece together a two-out rally in the eight against Brandon White. After the first two men went down, Mickey Moniak doubled to left, and made it to third after consecutive walks to Henri Lartigue and Jose Pujols. Arquimedes Gamboa drew the third straight walk to bring home the first run, and Luke Williams followed with a two-run single to center.
Ramon Rosso (2-1) suffered his first loss of the year at the High-A level, yielding four runs on 10 hits and six strikeouts across six frames for the Threshers.
Florida takes aim at the series sweep in the finale of the three-game series at Osceola County Stadium. LHP Kyle Muller (4-1, 3.08) toes the rubber for the Fire Frogs against RHP Ranfi Casimiro (0-0, -) for the Threshers. First pitch is schedule for 11 a.m., with coverage starting at 10:45 p.m. on the Florida Fire Frogs Broadcasting Network.
Sunday is Brunch & Baseball at the ballpark. All ladies 21-and-older will receive free brunch, while gentlemen must pay an additional $10. Food will be served from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m., while complimentary Bloody Mary's, mimosas and beermosas will be served from 10 a.m. - noon.
There will also be a motorcycle show from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, and a pre-game parade on the field! Special guests included families affected by 9/11 and the war in Iraq.
About the Florida Fire Frogs
The Florida Fire Frogs are the Advanced-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and compete in the Florida State League. The Fire Frogs play their home games at Osceola County Stadium, located at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Fla. For more information, please visit www.FloridaFireFrogs.com, and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.
###