Late Homers Foil Early Lead as Threshers Drop Fifth Straight

Ferrara Scores Twice with Two Hits in 13th-Straight Loss in Lakeland

Phillies ninth-rounder Matthew Ferrara makes a play at shortstop during a Threshers road game. (Nathan Ray)

By Josh Sperber

August 25, 2026

WP: Pedro Garcia (3-5, 5.88) LP: James Tallon (3-2, 8.42) BOX SCORE LAKELAND, FL – The Clearwater Threshers (67-52, 27-26) led by as much as four runs until home runs in the fifth and sixth innings helped the Lakeland Flying Tigers (59-59, 28-26) come back and take the series opener

WP: Pedro Garcia (3-5, 5.88)

LP: James Tallon (3-2, 8.42)

BOX SCORE

LAKELAND, FL – The Clearwater Threshers (67-52, 27-26) led by as much as four runs until home runs in the fifth and sixth innings helped the Lakeland Flying Tigers (59-59, 28-26) come back and take the series opener 6-5 on Tuesday night at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Threshers look to snap their longest skid of the season when they return for a Wednesday night rematch.

Lakeland scored the first run of the game on an error in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 1-0 advantage. Macon Winslow started the top of the second inning with a one-out base hit off Lakeland’s starter Caleb Leys. He advanced to second on a walk by Jonathan Hogart and third when a single by Matthew Ferrara loaded the bases. A bases-loaded groundout by Nolan Beltran plated Winslow from third to tie the game at one before Jack Hopko reached on an error that allowed Hogart and Ferrara to score, giving the Threshers a two-run lead.

Phillies 17th-rounder Richie Cortese fires in a strike during a scoreless relief outing for the Clearwater Threshers.Nathan Ray

The Threshers stretched out their lead in the top of the fourth inning, which began with a leadoff single by Ferrara. Beltran was hit by a pitch and Hopko walked to load the bases. Will Gasparino and Tyler Spangler each hit into a fielder’s choice in the next two at-bats, scoring Ferrara and Beltran to double the Threshers’ advantage. A two-run home run by Lakeland’s Cris Rodriguez cut the Clearwater lead in half with two outs in the top of the fifth.

Another two-run home run for Lakeland tied the game at five in the bottom of the sixth inning, squaring the score at five runs apiece for the first time since the second inning. The Threshers got the leadoff batter aboard in the ninth inning but were unable to tie the game again as they fell 6-5 in the series opener against Lakeland.

Zuher Yousuf surrendered three runs on eight hits with one walk and six strikeouts in 5.0 innings of a no-decision. Tyler Bowen took a blown save with two runs allowed on two hits and two walks in 0.2 innings. Richie Cortese tossed 1.1 shutout frames with one hit and one strikeout. James Tallon (3-2) took the loss with one run allowed on two hits, one walk and one strikeout in 1.0 inning.

Hogart and Winslow have each reached base safely in ten straight games...Spangler recorded his first career RBI in the fourth...Ferrara was the only Threshers player with multiple hits or runs...Cardoza pinch ran for Hogart in the ninth inning...Hogart has drawn at least one walk in four consecutive games...The Threshers will continue a six-game road series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Wednesday, August 26...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.