Marauders Shut Out as Winning Streak Ends at 11 Games
TAMPA, FL — The Bradenton Marauders’ franchise record 11-game winning streak came to an end at the hands of the Tampa Tarpons, as they were shutout 5-0 on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. It was their first loss since May 1 when they were shutout 2-0 by the
TAMPA, FL — The Bradenton Marauders’ franchise record 11-game winning streak came to an end at the hands of the Tampa Tarpons, as they were shutout 5-0 on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. It was their first loss since May 1 when they were shutout 2-0 by the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.
Minor League rehabber and 2023 Marauder Ryan Harbin began the game for Bradenton where he struck out three and walked just one in two scoreless innings. Antwone Kelly (1-3) entered right after and retired the side in the third before Tampa scored three runs in the fourth.
Kelly had walked Roderick Arias, who then stole second base and third base with two outs. The next two batters, Jackson Castillo and Willy Montero, also walked to load the bases for Hans Montero. During the at-bat, Kelly balked in Arias to give Tampa 1-0 lead. Montero later doubled down the right field line to score two more and make it 3-0 Tarpons. Kelly ended up allowing just those three runs in four innings out of the bullpen as he retired the final seven batters in his outing.
The Marauders offense was stifled against Luis Serna (2-2), after he struck out seven in a career-high six innings. Their best scoring chance of the game came right after he departed in the seventh inning against Jory Luciano who walked the bases loaded to start the inning. Luciano retired the next three batters in order to end the threat.
The score remained the same until Tampa plated a pair of runs in the eighth inning against Luigi Hernandez. After the right-hander struck out the first two batters in the frame, the next five batters reached base safely with Dylan Jasso and Montero driving in a two with RBI singles to close out the scoring.
Omar Alfonzo walked in the ninth, but Aaron Nixon (SV,2) closed the door on the Marauders as the Tarpons went on to win 5-0.
Esmerlyn Valdez walked in the seventh inning to extend his on-base streak to 16 games, a new season-long for a Marauder.
The Marauders and Tarpons continue their series on Thursday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:10 p.m. on the Marauders Broadcast Network.