Ordonez, Siani Lead Marauders over Mussels
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Marauders overcame an early 1-0 deficit on Tuesday night, slugging their way to a 7-2 win over the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels at Hammond Stadium. The win was the tenth in the last 12 games for the Marauders (33-16), who moved into a tie with
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Marauders overcame an early 1-0 deficit on Tuesday night, slugging their way to a 7-2 win over the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels at Hammond Stadium.
The win was the tenth in the last 12 games for the Marauders (33-16), who moved into a tie with Tampa for first place in the Low-A Southeast’s West Division.
After an RBI-double by Yunior Severino off Marauders starter Luis Ortiz, Bradenton pushed back in the second inning. Blake Sabol singled, took third on a single by Alexander Mojica, then scored on a popup to shallow center by Ernny Ordonez that fell untouched.
Sammy Siani gave Bradenton a 2-1 lead in the third on a solo homer, his seventh home run of the season, moving him into a tie for second-most in the league, along with teammates Jase Bowen and Hudson Head.
In the fifth, Siani walked and later scored on a wild pitch by Mighty Mussels (28-21) starter Miguel Rodriguez (2-2), extending the Marauders lead to 3-1.
Ortiz ran into trouble in the bottom of the fifth, allowing a leadoff single and a walk. After recovering to record a strikeout and a flyout, Ortiz hit Severino in the foot with a 2-2 pitch, loaded the bases. Cameron Junker (2-0) entered in relief and induced an inning-ending fielder’s choice grounder from Jeferson Morales.
Junker went on to pitch a career-high three and one-third scoreless innings, allowing no hits and benefitting from two inning-ending double plays in the sixth and eighth innings.
Meanwhile, the Marauders added onto their lead, getting an RBI-single from Ordonez and a sacrifice fly by Bowen in the sixth, and Ordonez swatted a two-run homer to left field in the eighth for a 7-1 Marauders advantage. The homer capped a career-best four-RBI day for Ordonez.
Right-hander Alex Roth took over for Junker to begin the bottom of the ninth. He walked pinch-hitter Kole McKinnon, then recorded a groundout and a strikeout. Pinch-hitter Wander Valdez then hit a popup to shallow right field that new second baseman Francisco Acuna misplayed, allowing McKinnon to score. But after another walk, Roth recovered to strike out Will Holland to end the game.
The series continues Wednesday with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. at Hammond Stadium. RHP Santiago Florez will start for the Marauders against LHP Brent Headrick for Fort Myers.