Nolasco's Blast Lifts Marauders over Flying Tigers

LAKELAND, Fla. — After being held hitless into the eighth inning, the Marauders got a go-ahead three-run homer from Rodolfo Nolasco to spark a come-from-behind, 4-3 win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers Sunday afternoon at Publix Field.

The victory marked the first time this season that the Marauders (23-28) won a game in which they trailed after seven innings, previously going 0-27 in such games. The win also salvaged a series split for the team.

With one out in the top of the eighth inning and Lakeland (24-27) leading, 3-1, Luke Brown drew a walk from Flying Tigers reliever Cristhian Tortosa (1-2). Mike Jarvis followed with a bloop single to shallow right field that narrowly evaded the sliding reach of second baseman Frank Veliz. The hit was the Marauders’ first of the game, breaking up a combined no-hit bid by four Flying Tigers pitchers to that point. After a slow fielder’s choice grounder back to the mound by Deivis Nadal saw Jarvis forced out at second base, Rodolfo Nolasco belted a first-pitch offering from Tortosa onto the grass berm in left field, giving the Marauders a 4-3 lead.

Yunior Thibo pitched through a jam in the bottom of the eighth for Bradenton, allowing an infield single and a one-out walk. But after a balk advanced the Lakeland runners to second and third, Thibo struck out Esney Chacon and retired Veliz on a groundout to first base.

Dante Mendoza pitched the ninth inning, allowing a one-out walk to Izaac Pacheco but striking out the next two batters to seal the win and earn his first career save.

The Flying Tigers had scored first in the game, getting back-to-back RBI-singles from Justice Bigbie and Daneurys de la Cruz for a 2-0 lead against Marauders starter Justin Meis. But Meis settled down, allowing one baserunner in each of the next three innings but holding the Tigers scoreless, then ended his outing with a clean fifth inning.

In the top of the third, Randy Romero earned a leadoff walk for the Marauders and stole second base. On the play, catcher Daneurys de la Cruz’s throw sailed into center field, and a bobble in center by Chacon allowed Romero to score, closing Bradenton’s deficit to one run, 2-1.

Lakeland pitching, however, remained difficult to solve. Starter Carlos Pena struck out a season-high nine batters in five innings, and relievers Matt Walker and Andy Santana kept the no-hit bid alive through the seventh with one scoreless inning each.

The Flying Tigers added their final run on a solo homer to left by de la Cruz off Jake Sweeney, which at the time extended Lakeland’s lead to 3-1.

Rehabbing Pirates righty Nick Mears (1-0) earned the win in relief, tossing a perfect seventh inning on just eight pitches.

The Marauders return home to LECOM Park Tuesday to open a six-game series against the Clearwater Threshers, Single-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

For more information about the Bradenton Marauders, please call (941) 747-3031, visit BradentonMarauders.com, or email [email protected].

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