Marauders Strand Bevy of Baserunners in Loss

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — An early three-run Marauders lead quickly dissolved on Friday night, and Bradenton was unable to capitalize on several run-scoring opportunities in a 4-3 loss to the Daytona Tortugas at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

The Marauders (41-22) scored first for the fourth consecutive night, piecing together a three-run second inning. Eli Wilson earned a leadoff walk and later scored the game’s first run on a wild pitch by Tortugas (29-35) starter Miguel Medrano. Bradenton went on to load the bases for Endy Rodriguez, who laced a two-run double to center field, knocking Medrano from the game as the Marauders built a 3-0 lead.

By reaching base, Rodriguez and Wilson both extended their on-base streaks to 14 games, the longest active streaks on the team.

But in the bottom of the second, Marauders starter Logan Hofmann (3-2) ran into trouble, issuing back-to-back one-out walks before serving up a game-tying three-run homer to Leo Seminati.

Hofmann rebounded to retire the next eight Daytona batters in a row, but in the fifth, he allowed a leadoff single to Seminati. Hofmann struck out Danny Lantigua, but then allowed a walk and a single to load the bases. Daniel Vellojin stepped to the plate and drove a deep flyout to left field, scoring Seminati for a 4-3 Daytona advantage, the home team’s first lead of the series.

After sending Medrano to his early exit, the Marauders went on to put at least one runner on base in every inning that followed, but were unable to produce another run. Right-hander Ian Koch (2-0) finished the second inning for Medrano and stranded three Bradenton runners in scoring position over the next three innings.

Stevie Branche also starred out of the bullpen for Daytona, striking out nine batters over three scoreless and hitless innings, working around three walks.

Relievers Parker Brahms and Alex Roth, meanwhile, kept the game close for Bradenton, combining for three and two-thirds innings of scoreless relief behind Hofmann.

Bradenton tried once more to manufacture a run in the ninth against Tortugas closer Vin Timpanelli. Jack Herman led off with a double, and after an Ernny Ordonez strikeout, Wilson drew a walk. But Jase Bowen struck out and Yoyner Fajardo flied out to left field, ending the Marauders’ brief winning streak at three games.

Marauders hitters struck out 16 times and stranded 13 runners in the game, matching their season-high from May 8 against Fort Myers. The team also went just 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position and stranding the tying runner in scoring position in five different innings.

The series continues Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. RHP Adrian Florencio will start for the Marauders against RHP Case Williams for the Tortugas.

For more information about the Bradenton Marauders, please call (941) 747-3031, visit BradentonMarauders.com, or email [email protected].

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