Marauders clobber 4 homers in 8-3 win over Mets

BRADENTON, Fla. (May 9, 2024) – The Bradenton Marauders homered their way past the St. Lucie Mets 8-3 on Thursday night at LECOM Park. The Marauders extended their season-long winning streak to seven games while the Mets dropped their sixth straight contest.

The Marauders scored five runs in the second inning off Mets starter Kade Morris to take a 5-1 lead. Bradenton hit three home runs and two doubles in the inning, although Morris struck out three and made it through the inning.

Esmerlyn Valdez hit a three-run homer to put Bradenton up 3-1. Solomon Maguire and Keiner Delgado hit back-to-back homers later in the inning for a 5-1 lead.

Morris settled down and retired 10 of the last 12 batters he faced. Morris pitched 5.0 innings and struck out nine while walking just one.

Boston Baro went 2 for 5 in the loss with a two-out RBI single in the first inning and a two-out RBI double in the ninth inning for the game’s final run.

Mets leadoff hitter Marco Vargas reached base four times on three walks and a single in his return to action off the 7-day IL. He scored two runs.

Kevin Villavicencio and Donovan Antonia had two hits apiece.

Jesus Baez hit a leadoff double in the sixth 108.7 mph off the bat to extend his hitting streak to 10 games.

The Mets collected nine hits but only two went for extra bases and they were 3 for 15 with runners in scoring position.

Bradenton starter Carlson Reed earned the victory after holding the Mets to two runs on three hits over 5.0 innings.

The Marauders bullpen streak of scoreless innings in the series ended at 13.2 after Baro’s run-scoring double against Danny Carrion in the ninth.

The Mets (12-18) and Marauders (12-18) play the fourth game of their series at LECOM Park on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.