Florida Falls in Wentz's Return on Wednesday

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (June 13, 2018) - Joey Wentz made his first start in over a month on Wednesday night, as the Florida Fire Frogs dropped game three of the four-game series against the Bradenton Marauder, 4-1, in a rain-shortened contest at Osceola County Stadium.

Wentz took the mound for the first time since May 11, and immediately fell behind after allowing a lead-off home run to Jared Oliva on his fourth pitch of the night. The long ball would be the only blip on the 20-year-old's line in the start, as the southpaw finished the night with the run allowed on three hits, a walk and two strikeouts.
The 6-foot-5 hurler struck out Hunter Owen and Bligh Madris on curveballs to start the second, and retired Jason Delay on a groundout in the perfect frame.
Florida (27-35) knotted the game up at one apiece in the third, with Sean Michel (2x3, RBI) pushing across Lucas Herbert (1x3, R, 2B) from second with a sharp single to center.
The third-inning run was the only damage the home team caused against Oddy Nunez (2-5), as the opposing starter allowed the run on seven hits, a walk and three punchouts in the winning effort.
Jon Kennedy (4-3) allowed a run in the fifth to break the tie. The reliever allowed a double to Madris to start the frame, and followed the two-bagger with a single from Jason Delay to put runners on the corners. The left-hander walked Casey Hughston to load the bases in front of Oliva's sacrifice fly to center.
Bradenton (33-28) added solo tallies in the sixth and seventh innings against Thomas Burrows to add insurance.
The game was officially called in the top of the ninth inning, as Josh Graham hit Adrian Valerio to start the inning, and had a 2-2 count on Mithcell Tolman before the game was sent into a rain delay.
The Fire Frogs will look to split the series in the finale on Thursday night. LHP Kyle Muller (1-1, 3.86) takes the mound for Florida against Bradenton's RHP Luis Escobar (4-4, 3.77). First pitch is set for 6:31 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:15 with the Florida Fire Frogs Pregame Show on the Florida Fire Frogs Broadcasting network.
Thursday is Free Beer Thursday at the ballpark, where fans 21-and-older can receive free beer from first pitch until the Marauders score!
For ticket and promotional information, please visit floridafirefrogs.com.
About the Florida Fire Frogs
 
The Florida Fire Frogs are the Advanced-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and compete in the Florida State League. The Fire Frogs play their home games at Osceola County Stadium, located at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Fla. For more information, please visit www.FloridaFireFrogs.com, and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.
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