7-Run Ninth Propels Clearwater Past Jupiter

The Clearwater Threshers faced a 4-0 deficit heading into the final frame on Wednesday night.

Jupiter starting pitcher Jarlin Garcia and reliever Matt Milroy had combined to keep the Clearwater offense quiet. The Hamerheads (3-4), having plated three runs off Kevin Walter in the seventh inning, held a solid lead entering the final three outs.

That's when the Threshers offense came alive.

Aaron Brown got it going with an infield single off reliever Miguel Del Pozo, and Willians Astudillo followed by dropping a single to right to set up men at the corners. Mitch Walding was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Clearwater with nobody out.

Devin Lohman brought home the first run, with an infield single to short that scored Brown.

Tyler Kinley (0-1) came on to replace Del Pozo on the mound, but the Hammerheads relief pitcher was promptly called for a balk. That pushed home Astudillo, making it a 4-2 ballgame.

Up stepped Dylan Cozens, on to pinch hit for Brodie Greene. Cozens sent a fly ball to right, deep enough for a sacrifice fly that permitted Walding to score and Lohman to scamper in to third representing the tying run.

With just one out and the go-ahead run at the dish, Andrew Pullin delivered a base hit up the middle to chase home Lohman and bring the teams to a four-all tie.

The Threshers were not done there.

Domonic Brown grounded a single off Kinley that deflected into center, and one out later Zach Green gave the Threshers the lead when he lined a base hit to left to push home Pullin with the fifth run of the inning.

Aaron Brown capped the scoring with a double to left, plating both Domonic Brown and Green to boost Clearwater to a 7-4 advantage.

Ulises Joaquin entered to close it down in the bottom half, and struck out two on his way to earning his second save of the year.

David Whitehead started for Clearwater (4-3) and turned in six strong innings, holding the Hammerheads to one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out four. Edubray Ramos (1-1) earned the victory after working a scoreless eighth inning in relief.

Domonic Brown continued his rehab assignment with Clearwater and finished 1-for-4 with a run scored. Pullin led the offense with a 3-for-5 night, and is batting .421 through the first week of the season.

Clearwater will aim to take the four-game set at Jupiter as the teams square off for the series finale on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. Brandon Leibrandt (0-0) gets the nod for the Threshers, opposed by fellow lefty Sean Townsley (0-1).

The Threshers will return home on Friday, when Clearwater opens a three-game series with Lakeland at 6:30 p.m. Friday is 70's Night at Bright House Field, with a post-game concert by Disco Inferno, presented by Leinenkugel and New Belgium. Tickets are available here or by calling 727-467-4457.