Defensive miscues prove costly in 7-5 loss

DUNEDIN, FL - In a game that featured eight combined errors, the Clearwater Threshers (5-15) found themselves on top 7-5 over the Blue Jays (15-5).

The Jays committed six errors of their own, including two by 3B Gustavo Pierre and LF Dwight Smith, Jr. Three of the Threshers seven runs were unearned due to the Jays miscues.

The Threshers began the scoring in the top of the second inning. Willie Carmona led off with a walk. Nick Ferdinand then hit a bouncer back to LHP Daniel Norris on the mound. Norris' throw to second went into centerfield, allowing Carmona to reach third and Ferdinand to reach first safely. Following a wild pitch that allowed Ferdinand to advance to second, Logan Moore delivered a single to left field that plated both runners for a 2-0 lead.

The Jays evened the score in the third inning. Smith and CF Dalton Pompey began the inning with singles, and a throwing error allowed both men to move up a base. 1B K.C. Hobson drove in his league-leading 23rd RBI on a groundout before RF Marcus Knecht tied the game with a sacrifice fly.

In the sixth inning, Clearwater regained the lead, 3-2. With Moore standing on first base, Malquin Canelo doubled to left field. Smith mishandled the ball allowing Moore to score all the way from first base.

DH Kevin Patterson tied the game in the bottom of the frame with a solo homerun, his second of the year.

Clearwater took the lead once more in the seventh and would not relinquish it again. Brian Pointer and K.C. Serna walked and singled respectively to begin the inning. Pete Lavin then reached on a bunt single, but Pierre's throwing error on the play allowed two runs to score and Lavin to advance to third base. Harold Martinez would single in Lavin, extending the lead to 6-4.

The Threshers added another run on a Moore RBI single in the ninth inning. The Jays tacked on one more via a Smith single, driving in 2B Christian Lopes, who doubled twice on the the night.

D-Jays starter Norris surrendered two runs, one earned, over his 6.0 innings of work. RHP Kramer Champlin (L, 1-1) received the loss after surrendering three runs, two earned, over 2.0 innings. LHP Chad Girodo and RHP Ajay Meyers combined to allow two runs, one earned, over 3.0 innings out of the bullpen.

Ethan Stewart (W, 1-1) started and won for Clearwater. Stewart tossed 7.0 innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on seven hits and two walks. Colton Murray pitched 1.1 innings, and Chris Burgess earned his first save, tossing 0.2 inning.

The Blue Jays head to Clearwater for the second game of this four-game set with the Threshers. LHP Matt Boyd (3-0, 0.39) takes the mound for the D-Jays. He will be opposed by RHP Brody Colvin (0-0, ---) at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow night at Bright House Field.