Clearwater’s bats simply couldn’t get going Monday night as the Threshers dropped the first of a three-game set with the Dunedin Blue Jays 4-0. Dunedin pitching, led by starter Kyle Ginley, limited the Threshers offense to just one hit on the evening, but Clearwater did put six additional men on base via five walks and one hit batter. The Threshers dropped to 14-23 on the season while Dunedin improved its record to 20-17.

Threshers’ right fielder Gus Milner’s bid to safely hit in 19 games was unsuccessful, though the University of Kansas product did reach base safely by walking in the second and being hit by a Ginley pitch in the fifth. Milner was the first Thresher to reach second base when catcher Tuffy Gosewisch singled to move him over in the fifth. Milner was then picked off attempting to steal third to squash the Clearwater threat.

Clearwater starter Tyson Brummett threw five innings, giving up seven hits including a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth. Brummett struck out four Dunedin batters while walking just one in earning the loss. Ginley, in just his second start for the Blue Jays, lowered his season ERA (split between Dunedin and Midwest League Lansing) to a stingy 1.12 in eight games (48.1 innings).

The Threshers’ relief corps again kept the game within reach by allowing just one hit in their three innings of work. Reymond Cruz had a much better outing in his second night in a Threshers uniform. In his debut Friday night, he walked two in just 0.1 innings of work. Against Dunedin, he threw two scoreless innings, walking one and giving up just one hit. Bear Hill struck out two in the eighth to keep the game at a four-run deficit.

Clay Harris drew a two-out walk in the top of the ninth and moved to second on a wild pitch, only the second Thresher to reach scoring position on the night. John Urick grounded out to second though to end the game. The two teams meet again on Tuesday night in Dunedin at 7:00 PM.

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