BRADENTON, Fla. - In the first game of a four game series, the Bradenton Marauders dropped a 5-3 decision to the Tampa Tarpons on Thirsty Thursday at LECOM Park. An early offensive explosion by the visitors to the tune of all five of their runs in the first two innings
BRADENTON, Fla. - In the first game of a four game series, the Bradenton Marauders dropped a 5-3 decision to the Tampa Tarpons on Thirsty Thursday at LECOM Park. An early offensive explosion by the visitors to the tune of all five of their runs in the first two innings off Marauders starter RHP Evan Piechota, who took his third loss of the year while rifling six innings and allowing all five runs on seven hits.
With two runners on and two outs in the top of the first inning, Tampa designated hitter Ben Ruta knocked his eighth home run of the season to bring in the first three runs of the contest. Bradenton responded in the bottom half of the inaugural frame after both Bligh Madris and Hunter Owen reached on base hits. That set the stage for Mitchell Tolman to drive in his first of two runs on the night, with the other coming on his second home run of the season to dead center field while leading off the fourth inning. The only other offense for the visiting side was on a long Angel Aguillar blast with a runner on in the second inning to drive in the final pair of runs for the visiting side.
Bradenton's final run came with their backs against the wall in the bottom of the ninth. Casey Hughston doubled with an out and was scored on the first hit for Raul Siri with the team, a double off the top of the wall in left-center field while down to the last strike of the contest to rest the final score at 5-3 when Tampa reliever RHP Greg Weissert earned his third save of the year. RHP Nick Nelson recorded a career high 11 strikeouts against the Marauders while working through six innings and not walking a batter on an even 100 pitches.
The Marauders continue their four game series against Tampa on Friday, Ladies Night at LECOM Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 in a pitching matchup that pits LHP Domingo Robles in his Marauders debut against RHP Nick Green for the visitors. Catch all the action Matt Neverett on the Bradenton Marauders Baseball Network by visiting BradentonMarauders.com, TuneIn Radio, MiLB.tv, or the MiLB First Pitch app!
