For the first time this season, the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels were shut out, 3-0, by the Dunedin Blue Jays at Hammond Stadium. With the loss on Saturday night, the team fell to 15-17 and fourth in the Florida State League West standings.

Fort Myers’ loss compounded an already difficult month. Over the last eight games, they lost six, bringing their record below .500. This marked a complete turnaround in performance after the team had a 13-10 record in April.

With two games left in the six-game series, the Mighty Mussels (17-15) entered the contest with a 1-3 series record, needing a two-game sweep for a draw. They have been outscored 33-21 in the last four games, with Dunedin averaging 8.5 runs per game.

The Blue Jays (19-13) built off the series’ high-scoring affair with a run to open the game. Left fielder Devonte Brown singled on a line drive to right field, which brought shortstop Manuel Beltre in for the score.

Beltre stole second during the previous at-bat to put himself in scoring position. Through the first two innings, Dunedin had three runners on base, with two attempting to steal. They ended the night two for four on steals.

However, the game’s pace picked up after the one-run first frame, with only two runs scored through the next eight innings.

The final two runs came at the top of the fifth inning off a double by Brown, for his third RBI. Beltre and third baseman Jacob Lowjewski crossed the plate for a 3-0 lead—the three-run game marked the lowest-scoring game of the series.

Dominance on top of the Blue Jays’ mound proved a struggle for the Mighty Mussels. They had four pitchers take the mound, who combined for 14 strikeouts, three walks and allowed six hits. 

Starting pitcher Gilberto Batista provided the most significant impact, accounting for nine strikeouts, four hits and a walk.

Fort Myers’ best scoring opportunity came at the bottom of the eighth inning with bases loaded. However, with two outs, a groundout to Dunedin’s Jefferson Valladares closed the frame. A 1-2-3 ninth inning put the game away.

The Mighty Mussels return to Hammond Stadium on Sunday, April 11, at noon to conclude their six-game series against the Blue Jays.