Marauders score 16, crush Miracle
Chambers' two-run shot was part of a 3-4, three RBI effort. The centerfielder has now hit safely in five consecutive games, a season high.
Another Anderson sacrifice fly capped a three run second for Bradenton.
Fort Myers got on the board in the third on an RBI single by James Beresford. But Bradenton responded when Paulino scored from third on a wild pitch in the bottom of the frame.
The Miracle scored once in the fourth, but Bradenton answered again in the bottom half. The Mauraders put two more runs on the board with an Evan Chambers RBI double and a David Rubinstein groundout to make it a 11-2 Bradenton lead heading into the fifth.
Fort Myers got two runs in the sixth and one more in the seventh to briefly tighten the deficit, but Bradenton put up another five-spot in the bottom of the seventh, with the help of Fort Myers reliever Shooter Hunt, who walked seven batters in the frame. After an Anderson RBI single, both Rubinstein and Ramon Cabrera drew walks with the bases loaded.
The Marauders got 5 2/3 innings from starting pitcher Brian Leach, who struck out five and won his first game of the season. It was the right-hander's first start since 2010. Leach began this season as a reliever with Double-A Altoona.
Bradenton's run total tied a season high. The Marauders also scored 16 April 12 against Jupiter.
The Marauders will try for the series sweep with Fort Myers Saturday at McKechnie Field. First pitch is at 7pm with radio coverage beginning at 6:45 on 1280-AM WTMY. For more information, log on to BradentonMarauders.com.