The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels extended their stolen-base streak to a franchise-record 18 consecutive games Tuesday, but lost 7-3 to the Clearwater Threshers at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla.
Merphy Hernandez recorded Fort Myers’ first hit in the second inning and stole second base with the Mighty Mussels trailing 5-0. The steal surpassed the previous franchise record of 17 consecutive games set earlier this season and extended the longest active streak among full-season MiLB affiliates. Fort Myers has tracked the franchise mark since 2005.
Clearwater Builds Early Lead
The game began after a 1-hour, 7-minute delay. Fort Myers starter Jui-Chieh Lin loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning but escaped without allowing a run before running into trouble again in the second.
Lin exited without recording an out in the second inning and was charged with two runs, moving his record to 0-2. Callan Fang followed and was charged with three more runs as Clearwater scored five times in the inning. Fang worked 1.1 innings and threw 21 of 29 pitches for strikes.
Eric Hammond entered in the third inning with a runner aboard and induced a first-pitch double play. Clearwater extended its lead to 6-2 in the fourth inning and added another run in the fifth.
Isaiah Lane Hits Inside-the-Park Home Run
Isaiah Lane cut into the deficit in the third inning with an inside-the-park home run. With Hernandez at third, Lane hit the ball off the wall in left-center field, and after Will Gasparino collided with the wall, the ball ricocheted back into play.
The home run was the second inside-the-park home run for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels this season and the second of Lane’s career. JP Smith hit the team’s other inside-the-park home run June 3 at Lakeland.
Hammond recorded five outs on his first eight pitches and finished with six strikeouts over 3.2 innings. Quentin Young walked with two outs in the sixth inning, moved to second on a balk by James Tallon and scored when Bryce Fowler singled to right, cutting Clearwater’s lead to 7-3.
Russell Begins Professional Career
Aidan Russell pitched scoreless seventh and eighth innings to begin his professional career. Neither team recorded a hit in its final three offensive innings, leaving Fort Myers unable to close the gap.
Fort Myers entered the game with a 67-56 overall record and a 30-28 record in the relevant split. Clearwater entered at 70-54 overall and 30-28 in the same split.
What Comes Next
The series continues Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Cristian Hernandez is scheduled to start for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, while Zuher Yousuf is scheduled to start for the Clearwater Threshers.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:20 p.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.
FSB Take
Fort Myers could not overcome Clearwater’s five-run second inning, but the loss still included a significant franchise milestone. Hernandez’s stolen base kept the Mighty Mussels’ record streak moving, while Lane’s inside-the-park home run and Russell’s scoreless professional debut provided notable moments in the series opener.
Source: Original report