Riley Sends Florida Home A Winner With Walk-Off Over Clearwater

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (May 7, 2017) -Austin Riley came up clutch for the Florida Fire Frogs on Sunday night at Osceola County Stadium, as the Atlanta Braves 11^th-ranked prospect (Baseball America) delivered the first walk-off hit in the club's short history in the 10^th inning for a 3-2 victory over the Clearwater Threshers at Osceola County Stadium. The win gave the Fire Frogs the series victory over the first-place Threshers heading into a six-game road trip beginning Monday night.

The extra inning started with back-to-back bunt singles from Omar Obregon (2x4, R) and Ray-Patrick Didder (2x5, R, HR, RBI), before Jonathan Morales (0x4) sacrificed the runners over with a bunt out in front of home plate. Ronald Acuña Jr. (0x4, BB, 2 SB) struck out against Jacob Waguespack (0-1) for the second out in front of an intentional walk to Alex Jackson (0x4, BB).
Riley (4x5, R, HR, 2 RBI) worked the count to 1-1, before sending a drive to the warning track in right, which landed just beyond the outstretched glove of a diving Herlis Rodriguez, plating Obregon for the first walk-off victory in team history.
Florida (15-16) has played in two extra-inning contests this season, with both resulting wins over Clearwater (19-12).
The Fire Frogs started the scoring with a two-out, solo home run off the bat of Didder with two outs in the fifth inning for his second long ball of the season.
The 1-0 lead would be short-lived, as Cornelius Randolph belted a two-run shot off of Enderson Franco to put the visitors up by a run.
Franco followed the home run with a single to Damek Tomscha and a double-play ball from Wilson Garcia, but the right-hander gave up a single to Deivi Grullon, ending the night for the 24-year-old.
Franco lasted 5.2 innings in his first start with Florida. The eighth-year pro allowed just two runs on seven hits and five strikeouts on Sunday.
Chase Johnson-Mullins retired Rodriguez to end the sixth with no further damage.
Riley tied the game in the bottom half of the inning with the second solo homer of the night for Florida. The 20-year-old dug in with two outs, and sent a 2-1 pitch over the wall in left for his seventh home run of the season.
Mullins worked the seventh, eighth and ninth frames. The 6'9" lefty gave up just one hit and struck out three in 3.1 scoreless innings. Sean McLaughlin (1-0) tossed a perfect 10^th for his first win of 2017.
For the first time in the inaugural campaign, the Fire Frogs did not issue any walks in a game.
Florida takes to the road to take on the Daytona Tortugas for a three-game series at Jackie Robinson Ballpark starting Monday night. LHP Tyler Pike (2-1, 2.16) takes the mound for the Fire Frogs, but it has yet to be determined who will start for the Tortugas. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., with coverage starting at 6:50 p.m. on the Florida Fire Frogs Broadcasting Network.
The Florida Fire Frogs return to Osceola County Stadium on Monday, May 15 to take on the Tampa Yankees. The first game of the four-game series is Margarita Monday in Kissimmee, where fans can enjoy $3 margaritas and $2 empanadas. The series opener will also be Service Industry Night, where members of the service industry can purchase tickets at the gate for a discounted rate.
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.