Five Run Second Inning Kicks off Final Homstand with Threshers Win

WP: James Tallon (4-2, 8.36)

LP: Jui-Chieh Lin (0-2, 63.00)

BOX SCORE

CLEARWATER, FL – Phillies first-round pick Tyler Spangler drove in two runs for the second straight game as the Clearwater Threshers (70-54, 30-28) began the final homestand of the regular season with a 7-3 victory over the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (67-56, 30-28) on Tuesday night at BayCare Ballpark. The Threshers look to continue the momentum when they return home for a Wednesday night rematch.

Neither team scored in the first inning, but the Threshers started the scoring by batting around in the bottom of the second. Cade Climie led off the frame with a walk, and advanced to second when Fort Myers’ starter Jui-Chieh Lin hit Jack Hopko with a pitch. After the first out of the frame, Reece Moroney drove in Climie from second with a single to right field to start the scoring. Tyler Spangler responded with a double to drive in Hopko, advancing Moroney to third and doubling the Threshers’ advantage.

Two pitches later, Will Gasparino provided another double to clear the bases and add two more runs when Moroney and Spangler scored. After advancing to third base on a wild pitch, Gasparino scored on a sacrifice fly by Nolan Beltran to cap off a five-run second inning. Fort Myers grabbed two runs in the third on an inside-the-park home run, cutting the deficit to three runs. Clearwater responded in the fourth inning when Moroney led off the inning with a triple to right field. Two pitches later, Spangler’s grounder was snagged on a diving stop by Isaiah Lane, but Moroney scampered home with the Threshers’ sixth run of the game. Will Vierling walked with one out in the bottom of the fifth, and advanced to second when Jack Hopko drew a two-out walk. Evan Bouldin singled on the next pitch, driving home Vierling to extend the lead to five runs.

Fort Myers responded in the top of the sixth inning with one run to cut the deficit back to four. After that, only two more Mighty Mussels reached base, and the Threshers held on for a 7-3 victory.

Brad Pacheco struck out five batters with two runs allowed on three hits and one walk in 4.0 innings of a no-decision. Wilmer Blanco surrendered one run on two hits with one walk and two strikeouts in 1.2 innings of relief. James Tallon (4-2) earned the win in 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk with three strikeouts. Luis Avila walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless eighth inning. Orlando Gonzalez finished the ninth without allowing a base runner, striking out one and retiring all three batters he faced in the final frame.

Spangler has driven in four runs in the last two games...His RBI double in the second was his first career two-bagger...Moroney hit his first career triple to lead off the fourth...Beltran has walked 14 times in his last 14 games played...Climie and Gasparino have each reached base safely in their last ten games...The Threshers will continue their final homestand of the season against the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels on Wednesday, September 2...First pitch on Wednesday evening will take place at 6:30 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.