WP: Justin West (8-3, 4.63)
LP: Matthew Fisher (2-1, 3.54)
SV: Jose Martinez (2)
CLEARWATER, FL – The Clearwater Threshers (63-42, 23-16) came within one run of the Tampa Tarpons (61-45, 26-14) in the eighth inning but couldn’t complete the comeback in a 4-2 loss on Saturday night at BayCare Ballpark. Clearwater looks to take their first series win at home against Tampa in their season finale on Sunday.
After a scoreless first inning, Tarpons catcher Luis Puello hit a solo home run in the top of the second to open the scoring. They added another run on a one-out RBI single to double their advantage in the top of the fifth inning. The Tarpons scored a run on a fielder’s choice in the top of the seventh inning to increase their lead to three runs.
The Threshers stormed back in the eighth inning, with Romeli Espinosa’s one-out triple starting a rally that would produce the Threshers’ first run when Victor Cardoza singled him home in the next at-bat. Cardoza moved to third on a single by Hogart before a sacrifice fly by Jack Hopko put Clearwater within one run. However, Puello responded with a solo home run in the ninth, and the Threshers didn’t get another baserunner in a 4-2 loss to the Tarpons.
Matthew Fisher (2-1) surrendered one run on two hits with two walks and six strikeouts in 4.0 innings but took the loss. Jacob Pruitt gave up one run on one hit with one walk and one strikeout in 1.0 inning. Manuel Colon retired all three batters he faced in a scoreless and hitless sixth inning. James Tallon allowed one run on three walks and one strikeout with no hits allowed in 1.0 inning. MT Morrissey struck out one batter and retired the side in order in 1.0 scoreless and hitless inning. Luis Avila struck out the side in the ninth but allowed one run on two hits.
Ferrara’s double in the second marked his 30th extra-base hit of the season...He has reached base safely in 15 consecutive games for the second time as a pro...Fisher set a career high with his first six-strikeout game as a pro...Colon’s Phillies system debut marked his third outing in Single-A in 2026...Espinosa tripled for his first extra-base hit as a Thresher...The Threshers will conclude a six-game home series against the Tampa Tarpons on Sunday, August 9...First pitch on Sunday afternoon will take place at 12:00 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.