The Jupiter Hammerheads lost 15-4 to the Clearwater Threshers on July 28 in the Florida State League series opener at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Jupiter and Clearwater were tied 2-2 after four innings before the Threshers scored eight runs in the fifth and five more in the sixth. The loss left Jupiter at 11-20 in the second half and 48-49 overall, while Clearwater moved to 17-13 and 57-39.
Echedry Vargas gave Jupiter its first run in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs and the bases empty, Vargas hit his sixth home run of July and team-leading 12th home run of the season. He finished 2-for-3 with the solo homer and one run scored.
Clearwater scored first in the top of the second inning when Matthew Ferrara drove in Carson DeMartini with a sacrifice fly. DeMartini drew a walk, stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball before Ferrara brought him home. Victor Cardoza added a solo home run in the third inning to give the Threshers a 2-0 lead.
Jupiter tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning after Luis Arana and Luis Cova hit consecutive singles and advanced to second and third on the same play. Arana later scored on a wild pitch. Andres Valor also contributed at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two doubles, a walk, an RBI and a run scored.
Clearwater broke open the game in the fifth inning by sending 12 batters to the plate and scoring eight runs on five hits. Robert Phelps hit a two-run home run during the inning, and Engel Peralta was charged with the loss after recording one out. Franklyn Moreta entered to finish the fifth before Clearwater scored five more runs in the sixth to take a 15-2 lead.
Luis Cova drove in Valor with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth inning, and Valor added an RBI double in the seventh. Neither team scored after the seventh inning. Jonawel Valdez and Gerinton Mendez combined for four scoreless innings out of the Jupiter bullpen.
Victor Rodriguez made his Jupiter home debut and pitched four innings. He allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out six batters, and he received a no-decision. The second game of the series was scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, at 6:30 p.m.
Source: Original report