Suarez, Threshers Hurl Two-Hitter

JUPITER, Fla. - Ranger Suárez shut down the Palm Beach lineup on Sunday, and four Threshers pitchers combined on a two-hit shutout in a 3-0 win at Roger Dean Stadium.
Suarez surrendered only one hit in six sparkling innings, needing only 66 pitches (45 strikes). The lefty pounded the zone and did not face a three-ball count all afternoon.
Jose Pujols gave Suarez a lead to work with in the second. Pujols crushed a one-strike pitch from Sam Teves (0-1) over the wall in left for his fifth home run of the season, giving the Threshers a 2-0 advantage.
Suarez (2-2) held Palm Beach hitless until the fourth inning, when Casey Grayson knocked a two-out single to center.
The Threshers starter allowed only two baserunners total in six innings of one-hit ball. He hit a batter but did not issue a walk, and struck out two.
JD Hammer took over in the seventh and hurled another hitless inning. He walked Grayson with one out, but racked up three strikeouts.
Trevor Bettencourt tossed a scoreless eighth, permitting just a leadoff single. Bettencourt has not allowed a run since July 13, a span of 10-straight scoreless innings.
Derek Campbell added a final tally in the ninth, roping one down the left field line for a solo home run off Hector Mendoza. Campbell finished 3-for-4, and his dinger gave Clearwater a 3-0 lead.
Seth McGarry finished it off, walking one and striking out two in a scoreless ninth. McGarry earned his second save for the Threshers and 16th total between Clearwater and Bradenton. The right-hander was aquired from Pittsburgh in exchange for Joaquin Benoit on July 31.
The road swing continues on Monday when the Threshers take on the Tampa Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field at 7 p.m. Edgar Garcia (3-4) takes the hill in the series opener, and the game will be broadcast live on threshersbaseball.com starting at 6:45 p.m.