Arnold’s Career Day Fuels Threshers Win

WP: Giussepe Velásquez (1-0, 3.32)

LP: Davis Feldman (2-4, 5.17)

SV: Wen-Hui Pan (7)

BOX SCORE:

CLEARWATER, FL – With four unanswered runs and six strikeouts over the final three frames, the Clearwater Threshers (72-36, 28-15) came back to win 4-1 over the Dunedin Blue Jays (50-59, 18-25) on Tuesday night at BayCare Ballpark. The Threshers and Blue Jays go head-to-head again on Wednesday evening in Clearwater.

Angel Del Rosario led off the third with a solo home run to put the Blue Jays ahead with the opening run. The game stayed at 1-0 until the fifth, which began with an infield hit by Raylin Heredia. He moved to second on a wild pitch thrown by Blue Jays starter Davis Feldman and moved to third on a groundout. Ryan Leitch drew a one-out walk to put two on for Jordan Viars. On the first pitch of the at-bat, Viars tied the game with a single to center and advanced to second on the throw in from centerfield. Leitch scored on a groundout by Chad Castillo that gave the Threshers a 2-1 lead.

Zach Arnold hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to double the Threshers lead to 3-1. Leitch doubled in the seventh and advanced to third on a groundout. Blue Jays reliever Winder Garcia was called for a balk that allowed Leitch to score from third, increasing the Threshers lead to 4-1. Clearwater’s bullpen struck out six of the final ten batters to seal the 4-1 victory and open the series.

Giussepe Velásquez (1-0) allowed one run on three hits in 6.0 innings with six strikeouts to earn the win. Danny Wilkinson struck out two and allowed one hit in 1.0 scoreless inning. Wen-Hui Pan earned a six-out save with four strikeouts in 2.0 scoreless and hitless innings.

Arnold’s home run was the first of his career...He also set a new career-high with three hits...Heredia went 1-3 with a run in his first game above rookie ball...Pan is now second in the FSL with seven saves on the season...He has struck out four or more batters in each of his last three outings...Wilkinson has not allowed a run in his last ten outings...He moved his scoreless streak up to 20.0 innings pitched...The Threshers continue their six-game series against the Dunedin Blue Jays on Wednesday, August 16... First pitch is at 6:30 pm... You can purchase tickets for Threshers games at ThreshersBaseball.com/tickets or by calling 727-467-4457.