Threshers Shut Out In Tampa

The Clearwater Threshers managed only five hits in losing 4-0 to the Tampa Yankees Thursday (Aug. 11) at George M. Steinbrenner Field. 

Brett Marshall, 21, limited the Threshers to one hit through the first five innings picking up his ninth win of the season.

Jonathan Pettibone was the hard luck loser giving up just two earned runs through six innings. It was the 6'5" right-handers tenth loss of the year even though his ERA is 3.14.

The Threshers now have three hitters in the middle of the line-up batting over .300; first baseman Darin Ruf .318, catcher Sebastian Valle .302 and rightfielder Brandon Tripp, .333.

Tripp, who has been an important addition with the departure of Jonathan Singleton, collected three of the five Threshers hits on Thursday. In 20 games since arriving as a Free Agent Signing, the 26 year old is batting .333 with three home-runs and six doubles.

The Dunedin Blue Jays swept a doubleheader with the Brevard County Manatees to gain a share of first place with the Threshers and Yankees.

On Deck: Clearwater begins a three game series in Daytona against the Cubs on Friday (Aug. 12). Then return home to face Dunedin for two on Tuesday (Aug. 16).

Need to Know: Clearwater pitcher Julio Rodriguez has been tabbed as the Florida State League Topps Player of the Month for July. Rodriguez was a perfect 6-0 in six starts with a stellar 1.96 ERA, and allowed just a .189 batting average against. 

The GC Phillies lost both ends of a double header to the GC Yankees, 7-3 and 6-4.

Outfielder Brian Pointer went 2-4 in both games including a triple.