Clearwater/Reading

The 2 teams that have the most former 'Claws are Clearwater and Reading. Today we will start in Clearwater, where the Threshers got a walk off win yesterday when Tuffy Gosewisch was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to drive in the winning run in Clearwater's 3-2 win over Sarasota. The Threshers got just 5 hits in the game, but 4 were for extra bases. Jake Blalock belted his 3rd home run for Clearwater (his 4th overall)to put Clearwater on the board. A triple by Jay Miller (.304), doubles by Gus Milner (.284) and John Urick(.270) , and a single by Fidel Hernandez were enough for Clearwater to seal the victory. Tyson Brummett made his 3rd start for the Thresher's since his promotion, and continues to do the job. Yesterday: 7 innings, 2 runs, 3 hits and 2 walks to lower his ERA to 3.32 for Clearwater (2.41 overall). Sam Walls (1.14 ERA) picked up his first win in relief. Clearwater heads to Daytona, where Dan Brauer will start.

In Reading, Andrew Carpenter, who won 17 games for Clearwater last year, is still struggling. Carpenter could not get out of the 5th inning against Akron Saturday, allowing 10 hits and 5 runs, striking out 6, to fall to 2-5, 5.54 on the season. No R-Phil had more than 1 hit, although Jason Donald had a hit, 3 walks, and scored 2 runs, and Lou Marson had a hit, a walk, and 3 RBI as Reading lost 8-5. Joe Bisenius got 5 outs without allowing a run, and is pitching well since being returned to Reading. Antonio Bastardo starts today for Reading.