Clearwater Threshers Face Ft Myers Miracle In Series Finale

The Clearwater Threshers came out on Thursday looking to grab their first win against the Miracle this season in the sixth try. The Threshers did start well by getting to the fourth inning with the game scoreless behind the pitching of Antonio Bastardo, something that they couldn't do in either of the first two games this series.

The Threshers got themselves scoring chances getting players to third base in each of the first four innings, but could not take advantage of the opportunities to get a run in. Fortunately Antonio Bastardo kept up his end of the deal holding the Miracle scoreless through four. In the fifth inning the Threshers took a 1-0 lead on a lead off double from Carlos Leon who scored on a error as Matt Spencer reached first safely.

In the sixth inning Antonio Bastardo would return to the mound for his first time past five innings on the year. Unfortunately he would no last the entire inning as the Miracle tied the game up with two outs, and Bastardo was lifted for Brett Harker. This would be Harker’s first appearance since leaving with "back spasms" this past Saturday. Unfortunately Harker would walk the bases loaded, but he managed to get himself out of the jam, and the game would head to the seventh inning.

The game would go to the eighth still tied 1-1 when the Threshers got another run across the plate as Matt Spencer got on with a single after Qunitin Berry was out on a fly ball. Spencer then moved to second on a sac bunt from Gus Milner. PJ Antoniato singled to move Spencer to third before John Urick walked to load the bases. Welinson Baez picked up the RBI on a fielder's choice that had Urick out at second. Alan Robbins struck out to end the Threshers' rally, but they were back on top 2-1 as the game went to the bottom of the eighth.

In their half of the eighth the Miracle got the lead off batter on with a single, and that would be the end for Brett Harker. Matt German was summoned from the bullpen, but he immediately walked his first two batters to load the bases with no outs. German was able to pick up one out, but was then lifted for closer Brian Schlitter who would come in with the unenviable position of having the bases loaded with only one out. Schlitter walked his first batter to give the Miracle their second tie of the night, both by way of the free pass. Brian was able to get out of the inning with no further damage, but it was now onto the ninth now tied at 2-2.

Adrian Cardenas pinch hit for Fidel Hernandez in the ninth and reached base on a walk. He would move to third on a walk from Carlos Leon and a throwing error from the catcher. Unfortunately the Miracle got out of the inning stranding Cardenas at third and it was onto the bottom of the ninth with the Threshers hoping for overtime. Unfortunately that would not be as the Miracle plated a run to secure the ninth inning victory 3-2.