Rosario’s Homer Lifts Fort Myers Past Threshers 3-2

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 28, 2022) – Kala’i Rosario’s go-ahead two-run homer in the fifth inning lifted the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels to a 3-2 win over the Clearwater Threshers at Hammond Stadium Thursday.

The Mussels (11-7) trailed 1-0 going into the top of the fifth. On the first pitch of the inning, Noah Cardenas drilled a leadoff triple off the wall in left center. The next batter was Jesus Feliz, who ripped a double down the left field line to tie the game 1-1. After a pitching change, Rosario greeted Clearwater (9-9) reliever Buddy Hayward with a two-run dinger to left to put Fort Myers on top 3-1.

The Threshers added a run in the seventh to make it 3-2, but Mike Paredes pitched the Mussels out of a jam. Paredes went 2.1 innings, striking out five in relief. Matthew Swain allowed two Threshers to reach base in the ninth but punched out Kendall Simmons to seal the save.

Fort Myers starter John Stankiewicz spun 5.2 innings of one-run baseball, allowing five hits and one walk while fanning three. Stankiewicz lowered his ERA to 0.83 through four starts.

Thursday’s win keeps Fort Myers in first place, tied with Bradenton through 18 games.

The Mighty Mussels will turn to David Festa (1-1, 1.93) to try and even the series on Friday, who will be matched up with Clearwater’s Jordi Martinez (Season Debut). Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.