Threshers drop Florida State League playoff opener
There were two outs in the 7th frame before the Threshers would collect their first hit, a single by first baseman Rhys Hoskins. They would wrap up the contest with just two singles, the other coming off the bat of third baseman Mitch Walding.
Right-hander Ricardo Pinto took the loss, allowing three runs in six innings of work while striking out six and walking three.
Lefty pitcher Amir Garrett notched the win for the Tortugas, as he fanned 12 Threshers batters without a walk over seven shutout innings.
Outfielder Herlis Rodriguez, who was a South Atlantic League full season All-Star and Lakewood’s most valuable player this year, was promoted to Clearwater for the playoffs. He would go 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter in game 1.
Clearwater won the first and second half North Division titles in the FSL to lock down their spot in the playoffs.
Righty John Richy, acquired recently in the Chase Utley trade, will take the mound in game 2 on Wednesday for Clearwater, who would host the remainder of the three-game series, if necessary.
Infielder Drew Stankiewicz, who played in 47 games with Clearwater earlier this season, was also promoted from Lakewood.
To make room for the added hitters, paper moves were made to transition Mark Leiter Jr. and Matt Imhof to the Gulf Coast League Phillies, with only three starting pitchers needed for the first round.
Other Phillies affiliates in the postseason-
Class A short season Williamsport will begin a best-of-three series against the West Virginia Black Bears on Wednesday night. Games two and three would be hosted by the Crosscutters on Thursday and Friday, if necessary.
Double-A Reading starts a best-of-five series on the road in Binghamton on Wednesday. Games three through five are set to be played in Reading, if necessary, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
