Threshers' Carrasco goes distance vs. Miracle

Carlos Carrasco carried a one-hitter into the ninth inning, but finished with a three-hit shutout as Clearwater rolled over visiting Fort Myers, 6-0, on Monday.

Carrasco (6-2), the Philadelphia Phillies' top-rated prospect, could have taken a perfect game into the ninth if he hadn't allowed a leadoff single in the very first frame to Steven Tolleson. Carrasco then mowed down the Miracle, retiring 26 batters in a row.

The 20-year-old right-hander struck out seven to wind up with his first shutout of the season and his third career complete game.

After battling inconsistency in his first six starts, Carrasco, who was named the Phillies' 2006 Pitcher of the Year, has not given up more than two runs in his past six starts, giving him a 1.19 ERA in that span. The Florida State League is hitting just .199 off him for the year.

The Threshers put their first runs on the board in the fourth when John Urick blasted a three-run homer to left field. Clearwater added three more in the next inning on an RBI single by Greg Golson and a two-run double from Jason Donald.

Despite being held to just one baserunner in the last 8 2/3 innings, Fort Myers threatened to end the shutout in the ninth when Tolleson singled to left and Juan Portes shot a double to right, putting runners on second and third with two outs. Carrasco got Ugueto to ground out to second for the final out of the ballgame.

Starter Zach Ward (2-8) took the loss despite striking out seven in 4 1/3 innings. He allowed six runs -- three earned -- on five hits and two walks. Clearwater (36-27) also blanked Fort Myers (27-36) on Sunday, 2-0.