Five-Run Fifth Propels Bradenton to 6-4 Win Over Lakeland

Five-Run Fifth Propels Bradenton to 6-4 Win Over Lakeland

Bradenton, Fla. – A five-run fifth inning set the tone for the Bradenton Marauders in their 6-4 win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Saturday night at LECOM Park.

After Lakeland jumped on the board first on a Patrick Lee RBI single in the top of the second, Bradenton responded in the bottom of the third. Carlos Caro led off with a single before Braylon Bishop roped an RBI double to right that knotted the game at 1-1. Bishop has driven in seven runs over his past three contests.

Lakeland rallied in the top of the fifth when David Smith lined an RBI single and scored on a passed ball later in the inning to make it 3-1. Lakeland climbed to a 4-1 advantage when Kevin McGonigle scored on a wild pitch.

Bradenton responded right away in the bottom of the fifth when Caro notched a one-out single.

The next hitter was Konnor Griffin who roped a liner to right for a single. On the play, the Lakeland right-fielder Lee sent a wild throw to third allowing Caro to score and make it 4-2.

After both Bishop and Will Taylor walked to load the bases, Axiel Plaz blasted a bases-clearing double to right center to give Bradenton a 5-4 lead.

Jhonny Severino followed with an RBI double to center that brought home Plaz and capped scoring at 6-4.

The Marauders bullpen was spectacular as Greiber Mendez, Jose Garces, and Jake Shirk combined for 4.2 scoreless frames while allowing just one hit. Shirk secured his team-leading third save after recording the game’s final four outs.

With the win, Bradenton moved to 14-18 while Lakeland fell to 17-15. The Marauders lead the season-series 6-5.

Bradenton looks for the series win as the two return to LECOM Park Sunday afternoon with first pitch set for 12:00 p.m and coverage beginning at 11:45 a.m. on MiLB.TV and the Marauders Broadcast Network.