Clearwater Offense Shut Down in Series-Opening Loss to Fort Myers

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Clearwater Threshers were blanked for the first time in the second half in a 6-0 loss to the Fort Myers Miracle on Monday night at Spectrum Field. The loss sits the Threshers at just a half-game ahead of Dunedin for first place in the Florida State League North second-half standings.

The Clearwater (46-34, 10-4) offense could not figure out Fort Myers' (43-37, 4-10) starter Cole Sands (2-1) through the first three frames. Matt Vierling was the only player to record hits against Sands, both singles to the right side. Vierling reached second base twice but was unable to score.
Fort Myers struck in the third against Requena (6-5) after Michael Helman's leadoff double. Royce Lewis plated Helman from third with a sacrifice fly to right to give the Miracle a 1-0 edge.
The Threshers' starter would not allow another run as he finished with a quality start while striking out four. The 22-year-old picked up his fourth quality start overall and second against Fort Myers.
After Requena's exit, Oscar Marcelino entered in the seventh with the score still 1-0. Trey Cabbage led off the frame with a liner that Daniel Brito couldn't handle for an infield hit. An error from Marcelino on a pickoff throw allowed Cabbage to reach second. After a walk from De La Trinidad, Michael Helman hit a ball toward third that Dalton Guthrie couldn't field that scored Cabbage. Maciel made it 3-0 with an RBI hit to left and Royce Lewis capped off the frame with a two-run single to open a 5-0 lead.
Fort Myers added a run in the ninth with Royce Lewis' fourth RBI to increase the Miracle's lead to 6-0. Clearwater was sent down in order in the final frame and suffered their sixth shutout of the season.
Despite the loss Matt Vierling turned in a solid night at the dish. The 2018 5^th round pick knocked three of the five Thresher hits and stole a base. Vierling picked up his 22^nd multi-hit effort in 2019 and leads the team with 16 swiped bags. Clearwater falls to 1-6 against the Minnesota Twins' affiliate and has lost three in a row against the club. Despite the loss the Philadelphia Phillies' affiliate is 19-15 against teams from the FSL South in 2019.
Clearwater aims to even the three-game series with Fort Myers in game two on Tuesday night at Spectrum Field. It is yet to be determined who will start for the Threshers against Miracle RHP Jhoan Duran (1-7 3.19). First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m. on Threshers Live! The Pregame Show at threshersbaseball.com.
Tuesday night's game features Independence Day Fireworks Celebration presented by Budweiser. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game.