Marte picked up an RBI in the 7th inning, which began with back-to-back walks to Fryer and pinch-hitter Brad Chalk. A double play erased Chalk, but Fryer advanced to third base, then scored on Marte’s RBI single.
Reliever Brian Leach took over for Hughes for the 6th inning, and retired the Squirrels in order. Tim Alderson pitched both the 7th and the 8th. In the 7th, he loaded the bases with one out, on a hit batter, a single, and a walk, but then got out of the jam with an inning-ending double play. He gave up a walk and a single in the 8th, but again kept Richmond from scoring.
The Squirrels were one out away from a win in the top of the 9th, when the Curve started another rally. Fryer reached base on an infield single to short, then pinch-hitter Kris Watts worked a walk. A throwing error by the Richmond shortstop when he tried for the force out at second meant that Holt reached safely, and the Curve had the bases loaded. Marte came through with a line drive single into left field, plating both Fryer and Watts to tie the score. That was all they could get in that inning, though, as a ground out ended the rally.
Michael Dubee pitched the 9th and 10th innings, allowing a single and a walk, both in the 9th. Tom Boleska took the next three innings. He did not give up a hit but allowed 2 walks — one runner was erased in a double play, and the other was left stranded. Anthony Claggett also walked one batter in the 14th, but left him on base too.
The Curve missed out on a few scoring opportunities in those extra innings. Both Sanchez and Latimore walked in the 10th, but didn’t score. They came close in the 11th, when Holt doubled, went to third on a passed ball, and tried to score on a grounder to short — but was tagged out at the plate. Sanchez singled to begin the 12th but was picked off base. Farrell singled in the 13th, but was doubled off on a pop bunt. Finally in the 15th, they put it all together for the 6-run inning and the win. Claggett was credited with the victory.
Bradenton Marauders 4, Fort Myers Miracle 0
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Starter Kyle McPherson pitched 7 shutout innings, earning his first win of the season, and reliever Ryan Beckman added 2 more scoreless frames, for his first Save of the season in Fort Myers. McPherson struck out 6 batters over his 7 innings and did not walk any, though he hit one batter with a pitch. He allowed only 5 hits.
2B Jarek Cunningham was the offensive star for the Marauders. He hit 2 doubles and drove in one run. CF Robbie Grossman started the scoring in the 3rd inning with a 2-run homer that also brought in SS Benji Gonzalez. RF Adalberto Santos also had a double, and C Carlos Paulino walked and singled, and scored both times.
