WP: Brian Walters (6-2, 4.47)
LP: Tyler Boudreau (6-3, 3.46)
CLEARWATER, FL – Jack Hopko’s first professional hit broke up a no-hitter, and his second professional hit left the yard, helping the Clearwater Threshers (63-41, 23-15) sweep the Tampa Tarpons (60-45, 25-14) in a 3-2 and 4-3 victory on Friday night at BayCare Ballpark. The Threshers look to secure the series victory when they return to BayCare Ballpark on Saturday night.
After a scoreless first inning, the Tarpons’ first three batters reached in the second, scoring one on an RBI single to take the opening lead. The Threshers broke up a no-hit bid with one out in the sixth inning, with a pinch-hit single by Jack Hopko starting the rally. Jonathan Hogart beat out an infield hit to move the tying run into scoring position. With two outs in the frame, Will Gasparino was hit by a pitch to load the bases, prompting a pitching change for the Tarpons. Jordarlin Mendoza came out of the bullpen for Tampa, and the first pitch he threw was lined into centerfield by Nolan Beltran. Hopko and Hogart scored, giving the Threshers their first lead of the game.
Two pitches later, Matthew Ferrara rolled ground ball to short, but he beat out the throw to first for an infield single, and Gasparino scored from third base to double the Threshers’ lead. Tampa added a run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh, but the Threshers held on to seal a 3-2 win in the first game of the doubleheader.
Sean Youngerman surrendered one run on one hit with five walks and three strikeouts in 5.0 innings for a no-decision. Brian Walters (6-2) got the win in the final 2.0 innings, giving up one run on one hit with three walks and two strikeouts.
WP: Orlando Gonzalez (1-0, 5.06)
LP: Danny Flatt (1-3, 5.40)
In the second game, Brayden Bakes drew a four-pitch walk to lead off the bottom of the first inning, before a two-run home run by Jack Hopko started the scoring for the Threshers. Nolan Beltran and Caden Bogenpohl each followed by drawing a walk before a single by Will Vierling loaded the bases. After the second out of the inning, Macon Winslow drew a walk, plating Beltran from third to triple the Threshers’ lead. Tampa got a run back in the top of the third inning, cutting the deficit to two runs.
The Tarpons tied the game in the top of the sixth inning, with an RBI single and RBI double evening the score at three after the first out of the frame. Bogenpohl led off the sixth inning with a single, advancing to second on a walk and to third on a balk from Tarpons reliever Danny Flatt. With one out in the inning, Cade Climie hit a deep fly ball to right field, bringing home Bogenpohl from third to give the Threshers a one-run lead heading into the final frame. Orlando Gonzalez struck out two of the three batters he faced to seal a 4-3 victory for the Threshers, earning the sweep of the doubleheader.
Yordanis Guerra surrendered one run on three hits with two walks and six strikeouts in 4.0 innings of a no-decision. Angel Liranzo allowed two runs on five hits with one walk in 1.1 innings of work. Orlando Gonzalez (1-0) retired the final five batters in order with two strikeouts in 1.2 innings to earn the win.
The Threshers scored all their runs in the sixth inning in a comeback win of a doubleheader for the second time this season...Hopko’s first professional hit broke up a no-hit bid in the sixth inning of game one...Gonzalez earned his first win of the year in his first game at BayCare Ballpark since April...Guerra struck out a career-high six batters in his second start for the Threshers...The Threshers have swept four of the six doubleheaders they have played this season...Climie’s first career RBI drove in the go-ahead run in game two...The Threshers will continue a six-game home series against the Tampa Tarpons on Saturday, August 8...First pitch on Saturday 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.