Fort Myers Falls in Fifth Straight Game

BOX SCORE

CLEARWATER, Fla. (September 5, 2026) - The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels suffered their fifth consecutive loss against the Clearwater Threshers on Saturday night by an 8-2 score at BayCare Ballpark.

The five-game losing streak matches the longest of the season for Mussels (67-60, 30-32), now done four times.

Philadelphia Phillies No. 2 prospect Aidan Miller (AAA rehab) led off the bottom of the first with a 109 mph double off of Mussels’ starter Jason Reitz (0-3). Miller (MLB’s No. 61 prospect) was playing in his first game since September 18, 2025. He would later score on a single from Reece Moroney to make it 1-0. A groundout with the bases loaded plated the second Thresher (74-54, 34-28) run of the frame.

Reitz, who hadn’t pitched in an official game since July 24 due to a forearm strain, exited after 1.1 innings and left with men at first and second. The 6’11” righty did initially return to the mound on August 30, but that game was canceled after two innings and the stats were wiped off. Jackson Sleeper was the first arm out of the Fort Myers’ bullpen. Sleeper got two infield pop ups to retire the side and close the line on Reitz.

In the third, Charlie Scholvin led off with a single. Later in the inning, with two outs, Bryce Fowler singled to center to make it 2-1. The knock extended Fowler's hitting streak to six games, the longest streak on the active roster.

Clearwater plated three runs off of Sleeper in their half of the third, extending their lead 5-1.

Jimmy Keenan and Hideki Prather opened the fourth with a pair of singles. Keenan later scored on a sacrifice fly from Scholvin.

Clearwater got the run back in the bottom of the inning against Callan Fang, moving the score to 6-2.

Fang allowed another run in the sixth, making it 7-2. He exited after 3.1 innings of work, striking out six Threshers. That total was his second highest mark of the season. Brian Strange took over with one out and runners at first and second in the bottom of the seventh. A base hit from Cade Climie allowed one inherited runner to score and made it 8-2.

Clearwater pitching faced the minimum from the fifth through the end of the game.

UP NEXT: The 2026 season concludes on Sunday, September 6. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. with coverage beginning at 11:50 a.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.