FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 16, 2026) - The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels defeated the Clearwater Threshers by a final score of 9-4 on Sunday afternoon at Lee Health Sports Complex.
Merphy Hernandez stole his 40th base of the season in the first inning today. He is the first Mussel-era (since 2020) player to accomplish this feat, and the fifth player in franchise history (since 1992) to reach 40 steals. The feat was most recently accomplished by Ben Revere (45) in 2009. Revere is second on the all-time list behind Anthony Felston who stole 86 bases in 1998. The other 40 steal seasons were recorded by Cleatus Davidson (44) also in 1998 and Matt Lawton III (42) in 1994, meaning Hernandez is just the second player to reach 40 steals this century.
“It’s a great personal accomplishment,” Hernandez said postgame through translator Carlos Lara. “But I am more grateful towards the team and to everyone that has given me the opportunity to be here.”
Hernandez accomplished the feat in less than half the games compared to the others on the list, only playing in his 49th game on Sunday (Felston, 114; Revere, 121; Davidson, 130; Lawton, 111).
“I’m really proud of the way this season has gone,” Hernandez said. “Because of the opportunity I’ve gotten, I am able to go out and perform on a daily basis.”
Fort Myers (62-50, 25-22) sent Callan Fang to make his fifth start and 13th appearance of the season. Fang allowed a run in the first inning on an RBI groundout from Clearwater’s (65-47, 25-21) Macon Winslow.
Zuher Yousef (3-3) started for the Threshers this afternoon and allowed the first five Mussels to reach in the first inning. Hernandez scored on a balk, Colby Turner scored on a double steal, and Luis Fragoza scored on an RBI single from Isaiah Lane. Later in the frame, Lane scored on an RBI knock by Byrce Fowler. Fort Myers recorded three stolen bases and grabbed a 4-1 lead.
Clearwater responded with a run in the top of the third inning to make it 4-2.
In the bottom of the third inning, Fragoza ripped his 18th double of the season down the left field line to lead off the frame. Three batters later, Quentin Young tore into his 12th double of the year to drive in Fragoza and extend the lead to 5-2.
Fort Myers tacked on two more runs in the fourth inning to make the score 7-2. Hideki Prather recorded his first hit on a double and later came in to score. For the second time in the game, the first five Mussels reached base to begin an inning.
The Threshers cut into the deficit in the top of the fifth with two runs to make it 7-4. Both runs were charged to Fang, who threw a season-high 75 pitches today. Jake Covey (2-0) took over and faced two batters to get three outs, aided by a double play. Covey ended up completing four innings of scoreless ball.
The Mussels added on in the bottom of the seventh on a two-out, two-run single by Turner, who collected four RBI today.
Hendry Chivilli took over in the ninth and closed out Fort Myers' second consecutive series win and first at home since late June. They remain six games behind Tampa for first place in the FSL West 2nd Half standings with 19 games to play.
UP NEXT: The Mighty Mussels take to the road on Tuesday, August 18 to begin a six-game series against the Palm Beach Cardinals. The Mussels will provide audio-only coverage of the first five games. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:20 p.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.