Bradenton Marauders 3, Clearwater Threshers 1
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Phillip Irwin earned his second win of the season with a 6-inning performance for the Marauders. He gave up only one unearned run on a walk and 4 hits, while striking out 4 batters. The run came in the top of the 1st, and it was unearned because of an error committed by Irwin himself. After a lead-off walk, Irwin scooped up a bunt, but his throw was wild, allowing the runners to move to second and third bases. An RBI single drove in the lead runner. Irwin got out of the inning with a strikeout and a double play. Irwin went on to retire the next 12 batters he faced, before giving up two singles and hitting a batter in the 6th. A throw in from RF Robbie Grossman to C Carlos Paulino led to the lead runner being tagged out at the plate to end the inning without a run scoring.
The Marauders put runners on base in the early innings, but could not get them around to score. SS Benji Gonzalez singled in the 1st, but was caught stealing. CF Evan Chambers walked and LF David Rubinstein singled in the 2nd inning, and both 3B Elevys Gonzalez and Chambers singled in the 4th, but those runners were all left stranded. The Power rally in the 6th began with a single by 2B Jarek Cunningham, and a walk by Grossman. 1B Aaron Baker grounded back to the mound, but it functioned like a bunt, moving both runners into scoring position. Cunningham scored from third on Elevys Gonzalez’ ground out to first. Then Chambers blasted a 2-run homer over the left field wall, scoring Grossman. Both Rubinstein and DH Calvin Anderson singled after the homer, but they were also left on base.
Diego Moreno took over for Irwin to begin the 7th inning. Moreno walked the first batter he faced, then struck out the next three. He worked around a single in the 8th, which included another strikeout. Ryan Beckman earned his third Save of the season with two strikeouts and a pop out in the 9th.
