BRADENTON, Fla. - In the first meeting of the 2018 season between the Bradenton Marauders and the Dunedin Blue Jays, a five run third inning output by the Bradenton bats sealed the game early on. Five consecutive Marauders reached base to start the frame, and all five came around to
BRADENTON, Fla. - In the first meeting of the 2018 season between the Bradenton Marauders and the Dunedin Blue Jays, a five run third inning output by the Bradenton bats sealed the game early on. Five consecutive Marauders reached base to start the frame, and all five came around to score as a result of two doubles and an error by Dunedin third baseman Josh Donaldson, who appeared in his second game with the visitors after a Spring Training injury.
Joe Musgrove, making his first official start in a Pittsburgh Pirate affiliate's uniform, penned his scheduled three innings of work to begin the game, allowing both runs given up in the game as a while when Dunedin right fielder Josh Palacios led off both the first and third innings with a single and scored in both of the trips around the bases. Musgrove finished his evening having tossed 36 pitches, 29 of them for strikes, while allowing five hits with two strikeouts. Musgrove will head to AA Altoona for his next start, with a total of four rehab appearances expected before rejoining the Major League club.
Jared Oliva led off the five run third inning with a single and stole his fourth base of the year to kick off the frame, and the offense only picked up from there. Adrian Valerio drove in a run for his team leading 14th RBI on the year, and Albert Baur drove in a pair of runs with a two out double to cap off the scoring for the entire game. Luis Escobar ended his first relief appearance of the year with the final six innings pitched, only two hits allowed and the flame-throwing righty finished with seven strikeouts for his first win of the season.
Bradenton continues their three game set against Dunedin on Wednesday night, with LHP Cam Vieaux on the mound for Bradenton, opposed by RHP Josh DeGraaf; first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 pm. Catch all the action with Matt Neverett on the Bradenton Marauders Baseball Network by visiting BradentonMarauders.com, TuneIn Radio, or the MiLB First Pitch app!
