Threshers Lose Back and Forth Affair

Bullpen Woes Spell Doom in the Ninth

The Clearwater Threshers got an early lead against Dunedin on Friday night only to see that lead disappear on one crack of the bat in the fifth inning when the Bluejays knocked a three-run home run to go up 3-2 in the game. The Jays would tack on one more run in each of the next two innings to take a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning.

After the seventh inning stretch the Threshers offense got on track picking up two runs in the seventh inning to cut the deficit to 5-4, and then in the eighth they added two more runs to take a 6-5 lead into the final frame.

I have to be honest here and say that with two outs in the seventh inning the Threshers were the beneficaries of one of the worst calls I have ever seen in my many years of watching minor league baseball. Jake Blalock was credited with a double down the right field line to get their rally started, but the ball was clearly foul to everyone in the park except the home plate umpire who ruled the ball fair. The Dunedin manager was ejected as a result of the ensuing tussle, but he was clearly correct in his argument of the call. Being a Threshers' fan I certainly took the call, as did the team, and was happy to see the team rally to take the lead.

Fortunately for Dunedin Threshers' closer deluxe Will Savage had proabaly his worst game of the season giving up four furns on four hits and two walks in the ninth inning and the Bluejays rallied to win the game and get justice after all.