Pettibone earns 10th win to sweep series

By Caitlynn Timberlake

August 29, 2011

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Jonathan Pettibone earned his 10th win of the season in his quality start to push the Clearwater Threshers (73-58) to a 9-3 victory over the Lakeland Flying Tigers (60-70) on Monday night at Bright House Field. This win would sweep the series and put Clearwater back into the playoff push.

Pettibone was in control during his time on the mound giving up only two runs on two hits in six innings of work. In addition he struck out three batters for his start.

Clearwater started the game with a three-run inning in the first beginning with a ground-out to Darin Ruf which plated Jiwan James. Brandon Tripp was up next to bat hitting a hard single to right sending Jeremy Barnes home. The final run of the inning was dealt when a single to right off the bat of D'Arby Myers pushed Tripp to score.

Lakeland's response came in the third when second baseman Corey Jones powered a homerun to right on the first pitch. Brandon Eckerle would score later that inning off a single to center from Brandon Loy.

The Threshers had another big inning in the third starting with Barnes scoring on a wild pitch followed by a walk to Cesar Hernandez which plated Ruf. Another walk to Alan Schoenberger sent Tripp home. The fourth and fifth run of the inning came from a sigle to right hit by James, plating Myers and Hernandez.

The Flying Tigers attempt to stay relevant came in the eight when a fielder's choice gave Jones the opportunity to score.

Clearwater scored the final run in the bottom half of the inning Torre Langley's sixth hit of the season plated Hernandez.

Lakeland starter Benny Paulino struggled on the night giving up eight runs on three hits in just 2.1 innings of work. He was charged with his first loss of the season.

The Threshers now hit the road for a two-game set against Brevard followed by a four-game series against Dunedin. Clearwater will return home on Sunday, September 4 to face Dunedin in the season closer. Gates are scheduled to open at noon with first pitch slated for 1 p.m.