Pair of Late Charlotte Runs Drop Marauders 2-1

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - In the first game of a three game series between the Bradenton Marauders and the Charlotte Stone Crabs at Charlotte Sports Park, the division-leading home team came out on top Monday after tallying two late runs to guide themselves to victory.

   RHP Gavin Wallace made his sixth start for the Marauders in the defeat, working through five scoreless innings while striking out seven Stone Crabs hitters to register a new season high in a Bradenton uniform while taking a no decision. Wallace was lifted after the fifth inning for rehabbing Major Leaguer A.J. Schugel, who recorded a rare four strikeout inning including a passed ball, a feat that has only been accomplished 89 times in MLB history. A pair of Marauder bullpen arms including LHP Jake Brentz and RHP Blake Cederlind combined following Schugel's single inning of work to give up the only two runs of the game for Charlotte in the final two innings they came to bat.
 
   After Vidal Brujan scored on a wild pitch-strikeout in the home half of the eighth inning, Charlotte catcher Rene Pinto put the Stone Crabs up for good in their last at bat with an RBI single to right to give the home side their first lead of the contest. Bradenton's only run was plated all the way back in the very first inning. After Albert Baur doubled in to the right field corner, he was brought around to score on a Hunter Owen single, as Owen tied Baur for the team lead with his 51st RBI of the 2018 season. 

   The Marauders continue their three game series on the road in Charlotte Tuesday night at 6:35 with RHP Pedro Vazquez making his 2018 Bradenton debut against two way player Brendan McKay, who was the Stone Crabs designated hitter in their victory tonight. Catch all the action Matt Neverett on the Bradenton Marauders Baseball Network by visiting BradentonMarauders.com, TuneIn Radio, MiLB.tv, or the MiLB First Pitch app!