Rodriguez Delivers, Marauders 'Pen Hangs on for Win

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A seventh-inning sacrifice fly by Endy Rodriguez provided the difference on the scoreboard Wednesday night, as the Marauders bullpen held on for a 3-2 win over the Daytona Tortugas at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

The Marauders (40-21) took a first-inning lead against Daytona right-hander Christian Roa, as Endy Rodriguez doubled and scored on a two-base hit by Dariel Lopez, who was thrown out at third base attempting to stretch his hit into a triple. Rodriguez’s double extended his on-base streak to a season-high 13 games.

Bradenton added another run in the second on another pair of doubles, as Jack Herman led off the inning with a two-bagger and scored on a double by Eli Wilson for a 2-0 Marauders lead.

Bradenton starter Nick Garcia, meanwhile, retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced through three innings. But with one out in the fourth, he hit Ivan Johnson with a pitch and served up a game-tying, two-run homer to Michel Triana. Garcia, however, would recover for a scoreless fifth and finished his evening with six strikeouts, one shy of matching his career high.

Oliver Mateo (2-2) took over in relief to begin the sixth and worked around a two-out walk to keep the game tied, and the Marauders retook the lead in the seventh, as Maikol Escotto drew a one-out from reliever Frainger Aranguren (2-6), took third on a single by Hudson Head and scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly to center field by Rodriguez.

Mateo ran into trouble in the bottom half, striking out two but walking the bases full, putting the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position for Daytona (28-34). Mateo gave way to fellow right-hander Sergio Umana, who struck out Brandon Leyton to end the threat and keep the lead intact.

Umana pitched a scoreless eighth with the help of catcher Eli Wilson, who threw out Triana attempting to steal second base after singling. A scoreless ninth by Umana sealed the victory for the Marauders.

Herman and Wilson led the way with two hits each for the Marauders, who won despite going just 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position, including leaving the bases loaded in the fifth.

The series continues Thursday with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. RHP Domingo Gonzalez will start for the Marauders against RHP James Marinan 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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