Antigua helps Cubs square FSL series

It'd been more than two months since Jeff Antigua's last victory. That didn't matter much with the season on the line Wednesday.

The Cubs prospect pitched seven strong innings and Matt Szczur homered as Daytona beat the Dunedin Blue Jays, 3-1, on Wednesday to even the best-of-3 Florida State League semifinals.

Antigua (1-0) held the Class A Advanced Blue Jays to one run on four hits and a walk for his first win since July 1. He induced a dozen ground balls and struck out one before Eduardo Figueroa and Frank Del Valle recorded the final six outs.

Daytona lost Tuesday's opener, 4-3, but got on the board in the second on Elliot Soto's RBI single off Dunedin starter Ryan Tepera. Evan Crawford singled and scored on Jason Bour's sacrifice fly in the third before Szczur connected for a two-out blast to left in the sixth.

The Jays' lone offense came in the fifth when Justin Jackson drew a one-out walk and Ryan Goins doubled him home.

Dunedin threatened in the eighth, loading the bases on a pair of walks and a one-out single by Brad Glenn. But reliever Eduardo Figueroa retired Brian Van Kirk on a pop fly and got Jon Talley to ground out to shortstop.

The Jays put a runner on with one out in the ninth, but Frank Del Valle came on and induced Goins to bounce into a game-ending double play.

Tepera (0-1) was charged with three runs on five hits and a pair of walks over 6 2/3 innings.

The decisive third game will be Thursday in Daytona.

In other Florida State League playoff action:
Marauders 10, Mets 0

Brett Lorin gave up two hits over six innings and Adalberto Santos and Kelson Brown each drove in two runs as the Marauders forced Game 3 in the semifinal series. Bradenton chased Zack Wheeler after the Mets' top prospect surrendered four runs on five hits over 3 2/3 innings. Box score