Jeb Stefan pushed Roman Quinn out of the first paragraph Tuesday with six scoreless innings.  The righty needed 98 pitches and threw 62 strikes.  He scattered 7 hits and walked 2 batters.  He also matched his season high with 5 strike outs.  It was a gritty performance by Stefan.  He was greeted by a leadoff single by the Tigers’ Chad Wright.  He was quickly erased on Stefan’s first ground ball double play of the season.  Stefan pitched out of a bases loaded, 2-out situation in the 2nd inning.  In the 3rd inning, Wright led off with another single, but was caught stealing by Gabriel Lino.  Stefan got 2 quick outs in the 4th inning before escaping another bases loaded situation.  His 5th and 6 innings were more routine with one hit and 3 strike outs.  He was strong in a 1-2-3 6th inning.  He started all 3 batters off with first pitch strikes and recorded 2 of his 5 strike outs in his last inning. 

Lino Martinez  walked 2 and allowed a hit in his 2 scoreless innings of relief.  He struck out 4 Tigers.  Lee Ridenhour pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the save.

Roman Quinn went 1 for 4 at the plate.  He lead off the Threshers’ first inning with a line drive single to center from the left side.  He advanced to second when Yorfrank Lopez’ pickoff attempt caromed into the Tigers’ dugout.  He moved to third on a Brian Pointer single and scored an unearned run on KC Serna’s ground out to the first baseman.

Art Charles led off the 2nd inning with a towering drive to center field.  The Tigers’ outfielder took a “Revere-like” route to the ball and it bounced untouched on the warning track.  Charles busted out of the box and legged out a stand up triple.  (He went 2 for 3 on the night with 2 triples.)  He later scored on an Angelo Mora single to right.

The Threshers’ manufactured another unearned run in the 6th inning.  Mora led off with his second single of the night.  He stole second on the first pitch and advanced to third when the catcher’s throw went into center field.  Two strike outs later, Serna drove him in with a single to center.

The Threshers’ bullpen preserved the 3-0 lead to get the win for Stefan.  Charles second triple bounced of the top of the right field wall.  A gusting wind probably helped him on his earlier triple, it had shifted later in the game and certainly kept this ball in the park.  Give him credit, though.  He didn’t admire the shot, he hustled out of the box and made it to third without a throw.

Harold Martinez rebounded on defensive with a play to his right and a strong throw to end the second inning.

Quinn handled all his chances.  He caught 3 cans of corn and fielded a single to center.  All 4 were hit pretty much right at him.  But the most exciting play was one he didn’t make.  With a runner on first and 2 out, a Tiger stroked a drive to left center.  Quinn covered a lot of ground and just came up short on a diving catch.  Brandon Short backed him up and kept the runner from scoring on the double.  Even though it wasn’t a catch, he covered a lot of ground on a ball I didn’t think he would get close to.  I didn’t even think it was his ball.

The Threshers made the most of their chances and won on 7 hits, a walk, and 9 strike outs.  They were retired in order in 4 innings, and wasted a two-out triple by Charles.

I don’t know if Crawford will report tonight or tomorrow and then travel to Lakeland for the game.  I will be on hand to see him in Dunedin Thursday.  Hooray!