TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — The Tampa Tarpons defeated the Clearwater Threshers 5-4 on Friday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Tampa scored a run in the second inning on a fielder’s choice, two in the third and one each in the fourth on a sacrifice fly and the seventh. Clearwater answered with two runs in the third on an RBI groundout and a double by Nolan Beltran, then added a run in the fourth and another in the eighth on a sacrifice fly. Both teams had six hits. Parker Seay struck out one in a perfect ninth for his second save. Jose M. Rodriguez (1-0) threw 2 1/3 hitless innings for the win. Brian Walters (3-2) allowed one run in two innings in defeat. Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek homered and drove in a run for Tampa. Mac Heuer struck out four over 4 2/3 innings. The game drew 902 fans and lasted 2:24. Clearwater dropped to 25-18, Tampa improved to 21-22.