Wildness, Whiffs Plague Marauders in Loss to Mussels
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Carlos Jimenez was erratic in four innings on the mound Wednesday night and Marauders bats largely scuffled in a 3-2 loss to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels at Hammond Stadium. The loss dropped the Marauders (20-12, 49-48) back to half a game behind the Tampa Tarpons
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Carlos Jimenez was erratic in four innings on the mound Wednesday night and Marauders bats largely scuffled in a 3-2 loss to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels at Hammond Stadium.
The loss dropped the Marauders (20-12, 49-48) back to half a game behind the Tampa Tarpons for the West Division lead. Due to inclement weather leading to a 9:10 p.m. first pitch, the game was shortened to seven innings for a second straight night.
Right-hander Carlos Jimenez labored through four innings on the mound for Bradenton, throwing 75 pitches and matching his season-high with five walks, three of which turned into runs for the Mighty Mussels (13-17, 54-40). After a scoreless first innings, Jimenez walked three batters in an erratic second. Daniel Ozoria worked a two-out walk and later scored from third base on a wild pitch, and Luis Baez followed with a walk of his own and scored on a Nelson Roberto double for a 2-0 Fort Myers lead.
Jase Bowen brought the Marauders within one run in the top of the third with an RBI-double to right-center, but the Mussels answered in the home half when Dillon Tatum grounded an RBI-single to plate Keoni Cavaco, who had walked. The lead stood in the Mighty Mussels’ favor, 3-1, after three innings.
Southpaw Jaylen Nowlin baffled Marauders hitters in four innings of work, striking out eight while maneuvering around three walks. Bradenton went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position, stranding the tying run in both the third and fourth innings.
Mitchell Miller held Fort Myers scoreless in two relief innings for the Marauders, striking out three. But after a Juan Jerez solo homer to left field in the sixth brought Bradenton back within one run, 3-2, the Marauders would not place another run into scoring position. Maikol Escotto drew a two-out walk but was caught stealing second base to end the sixth, and Mussels right-hander Juan Mendez retired the side in order in the seventh to end the game.
The series continues Thursday with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. at Hammond Stadium. LHP Luis Peralta will start for the Marauders, while Fort Myers will start LHP Jordan Carr.
For more information about the Bradenton Marauders, please call (941) 747-3031, visit BradentonMarauders.com, or email [email protected].
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