Florez, Bullpen Combine for Two-Hit Shutout

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Santiago Florez turned in his team-leading fourth quality start Thursday night at Hammond Stadium, combining with two Marauders relievers for a two-hit shutout in a 1-0 win over the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.

The win was the Marauders’ fifth in a row, and gave the team 11 wins in its last 13 games. With a Tampa win over Jupiter, Bradenton remained tied for first place in the West Division.

Florez (5-1) retired 18 of the 21 batters he faced over six scoreless innings for the Marauders (34-16), striking out seven while walking only two and allowing just one hit. The right-hander retired eight batters in a row to begin his evening before a two-out walk to Ruben Santana in the third inning, then did not allow a hit until an Aaron Sabato single in the fourth.

The Marauders produced the game’s only run in the second inning against Mighty Mussels (28-22) starter Brent Headrick (3-3). After a pair of walks and a single loaded the bases, Ernny Ordonez hit a shallow popup down the right field line. First baseman Aaron Sabato made an over-the-shoulder running catch, but Maikol Escotto tagged up at third base and scored without a throw.

Bradenton threatened to extend its lead multiple times in the game, drawing seven walks, including a season-high five from Headrick. But the Marauders went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left 11 total runners stranded.

Parker Brahms pitched a clean seventh inning in relief of Florez, then briefly ran into trouble in the eighth. Fort Myers’ Justin Washington beat out a throw from shortstop Dariel Lopez on a grounder for an infield single, then stole second base. But Brahms recovered to get Santana and Jeferson Morales to fly out, ending the inning with the 1-0 lead intact.

In the ninth, Enmanuel Mejia issued a one-out walk to Sabato, but retired the next two batters on infield popouts, ending the game and giving the Marauders a fifth straight win.

The series continues Friday with a 4:30 p.m. doubleheader at Hammond Stadium. RHP Nick Garcia will start Game 1 for the Marauders against LHP Zarion Sharpe for Fort Myers, and RHP Logan Hofmann will pitch Game 2 for Bradenton against RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long for the Mighty Mussels.