Julien delivers game-winner in 6-5 win over Threshers

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 12, 2021) – Twins first round picks Aaron Sabato and Keoni Cavaco each reached base four times Wednesday, as Edouard Julien delivered the game-winning hit in a 6-5 Mighty Mussels’ victory over the Clearwater Threshers at Hammond Stadium.

After both teams traded runs early, Fort Myers (4-4) entered the bottom of the sixth trailing 5-4. Misael Urbina led off the inning with a single to center. Two batters later, Cavaco was hit by a pitch. Sabato then drew a walk to load the bases. Julien came up next, lining a two-run single off the glove of a diving Casey Martin and into center field.

The Mighty Mussels’ bullpen was the key to Wednesday’s win, combining for 6.2 innings of scoreless ball. Right-hander Osiris German was tasked with the final two innings, stranding the tying run in scoring position in both. After an error and wild pitch put the tying run on second in the ninth, Clearwater (4-4) first baseman DJ Stewart chopped a grounder to Cavaco at shortstop. Cavaco wielded a throw deep in the hole, gunning out Stewart, who dove head first into the bag to end the game.

Ryan Shreve and Anthony Escobar also gave Fort Myers spotless relief work. Shreve struck out five over 2.2 scoreless innings, while Escobar did not allow a hit across two frames.

Starter Regi Grace Jr. surrendered two home runs early, but the Fort Myers bats did their job to keep the score tight.

The Mussels rallied for three runs on six singles in the bottom of the first, as nine of the first 11 Fort Myers batters reached base. In a tie game in the third inning, Cavaco delivered a double off the wall in left center to give the Mussels a 4-3 lead.

With the series now tied, Fort Myers sends RHP Miguel Rodriguez (1-0, 0.00) to the mound at 7 pm on Wednesday. LHP Rafael Marcano (0-0, 0.00) gets the start for Clearwater. Mussels Pre-Game Live begins at 6:45 pm on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.