Seven Heaven: Marauders Bash Season-High Four Home Runs in 8-3 Victory
BRADENTON, FL — The Bradenton Marauders used a five-run second inning to down the St. Lucie Mets 8-3 on Thursday night at LECOM Park. The Marauders extend their season-best winning streak to seven games, which is tied for the longest win streak in the Florida State League this year. For
BRADENTON, FL — The Bradenton Marauders used a five-run second inning to down the St. Lucie Mets 8-3 on Thursday night at LECOM Park. The Marauders extend their season-best winning streak to seven games, which is tied for the longest win streak in the Florida State League this year.
For the second straight night, the Mets plated the game’s first run in the top of the first. Marco Vargas walked and advanced on a pair of wild pitches thrown by Carlson Reed (2-1) to start the game. After striking out the next two batters, Boston Baro singled Vargas home to push St. Lucie in front at 1-0.
Bradenton responded with a five-run second against Kade Morris (0-3). Eddy Rodriguez doubled, and Omar Alfonzo singled with one out to bring up Esmerlyn Valdez who clubbed a three-run home to give Bradenton a 3-1 advantage. Solomon Maguire and Keiner Delgado then hit back-to-back solo-home runs to close out the five-run inning.
St. Lucie cut into the deficit with a Donovan Antonia RBI single in the fifth against Reed who allowed just the two runs in five innings while striking out seven. It’s the second straight start that the 2023 4th round pick has gone at least five frames.
The Marauders used a pair of two out hits to plate two more in the sixth. Javier Rivas worked a two-out walk to send Maguire to the plate who hit a triple to right-centerfield to score Rivas and make it 6-2 Bradenton. The next batter, Delgado, singled home Maguire to push the lead to 7-2.
After an Alfonzo solo-home run in the eighth, an RBI double from Baro in the ninth completed the game’s scoring at 8-3.
The four home runs are a new season-high for the Marauders, who hit three last Tuesday against Fort Myers.
The Marauders and Mets continue their six-game series at LECOM Park on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:10 p.m. on the Marauders Broadcast Network. Bradenton sends LHP Michael Kennedy (1-1, 3.13) to the hill opposite of RHP Jack Wenninger (1-1, 4.44) for St. Lucie.