Five-Run Eighth Seals Comeback Win for Threshers

WP: Manuel Colon (2-0, 2.45)

LP: Edrwin Veras (2-1, 5.25)

BOX SCORE

CLEARWATER, FL – Nolan Beltran smacked a go-ahead two-run blast for his first home run in almost three months to help the Clearwater Threshers (66-47, 26-21) come back and beat the Dunedin Blue Jays (52-59, 22-24) by an 8-4 margin on Tuesday night at BayCare Ballpark. The Threshers will attempt to continue their winning momentum in a doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon.

The game remained scoreless until the third inning, when a two-out home run by Will Gasparino gave the Threshers a 1-0 lead. Dunedin answered with a solo home run of their own in the top of the fifth inning to tie the game at one. The Blue Jays took their first lead of the game on a two-run home run by Jake Bennett in the top of the sixth inning for a two-run advantage.

Matthew Ferrara beat out an infield single in the bottom of the sixth inning, advancing to second on an errant throw by Blue Jays’ third baseman Juan Sanchez. After the first out, Jonathan Hogart ripped a single to right that allowed Ferrara to score from second, cutting Dunedin’s lead to one run. Dunedin got the run back on a sacrifice fly in the seventh, returning to a two-run lead by the end of the seventh-inning stretch.

Matt Quintanar picked up a one-out single on the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the seventh, advancing to second on a single by Cade Climie. A balk from Edrwin Veras moved Quintanar to third and Climie to second base before Gasparino drove in Quintanar to cut the deficit to one run. The Threshers got out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the eighth to stay within one run heading into the bottom half. After the first out, Brayden Bakes ripped his second double of the night to right field to put the tying run aboard. Nolan Beltran sent the next pitch over the right-field wall for a two-run home run that gave the Threshers back a one-run lead. One pitch later, Will Vierling went deep with a solo shot to make it 6-4.

But the rally didn’t end there. With the bases now clear, Quintanar smacked a double before advancing to third on a single by Cade Climie. A wild pitch brought home Quintanar before Ferraran singled in Climie with two outs to increase the Threshers’ advantage to four runs. The Blue Jays picked up a two-out single in the ninth, but the final batter struck out to seal an 8-4 win for the Threshers to start their penultimate homestand of the season.

Brad Pacheco allowed one run on four hits, with one walk and seven strikeouts, over 5.0 innings for a no-decision. Wilmer Blanco surrendered three runs on four hits with one walk in 2.0 innings of relief. Manuel Colon (2-0) earned the win in 1.0 scoreless, hitless inning, allowing two walks and striking out two. Luis Avila pitched the ninth inning, giving up one hit and striking out one.

Gasparino’s home run was his first ever at BayCare Ballpark...Colon has earned the win in each of his last two relief outings...Pacheco equaled his season high of seven strikeouts for the seventh time as a Thresher...Beltran hit his first home run since homering in May at home against the Blue Jays...Gasparino has four hits and has produced seven runs in his last two games...The Threshers will continue a seven-game home series against the Dunedin Blue Jays on Wednesday, August 19, with a doubleheader...First pitch of game one on Wednesday afternoon will take place at 4:00 pm...You can purchase Threshers tickets at ThreshersBaseball.com/tickets or by calling 727-467-4457…The BayCare Ballpark Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 10 am – 5 pm...The box office will be open on Saturdays from 10 am - 3 pm...Visit our website at threshersbaseball.com for information on tickets and promotions for the Threshers season.