Bradenton Marauders 7, Fort Myers Miracle 3
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The Marauders scored 3 unanswered runs in the last two innings, to secure the win over the Miracle. Bradenton got going in the top of the 1st, with a run on a lead-off double by RF Robbie Grossman and singles by 2B Jarek Cunningham and C Ramon Cabrera. Cunningham was out at third on the throw back in from the outfield on Cabrera’s hit. DH Calvin Anderson also doubled and CF Evan Chambers walked in the inning, but the rally ended with the bases still loaded. 1B Kelson Brown reached on a fielding error to begin the 2nd inning, and he scored on Cunningham’s 2-run homer.
Bradenton starter Phillip Irwin retired the side in the 1st inning, then gave up two unearned runs in the 2nd on a pair of two-out singles and a pair of fielding errors by Cunningham, to bring the score to 3-2. The Marauders added a run in the top of the 5th with Cunningham’s double and singles by 3B Elevys Gonzalez and Anderson.
Irwin kept the Miracle scoreless for three innings. He gave up a double to rehabbing C Joe Mauer in the 5th, after getting him to ground out in his previous two at-bats. In the 6th, with two outs, Irwin surrendered three consecutive singles to load the bases. Irwin was relieved by Jason Erickson, who threw a wild pitch, allowing the lead runner to score, again cutting the Marauders’ lead to one run, 4-3.
Erickson continued with three scoreless innings. He gave up a single in the 7th (after getting Mauer to ground out again), then retired the next 7 batters in order.
The Marauders rallied in the 8th, beginning with a one-out single by Brown. A walk by Grossman and a single by Cunningham (his 4th in the game) loaded the bases. Walks to both Cabrera and Gonzalez forced in two runs, Grossman and Cunningham. Then in the 9th, Chambers led off with a walk, and stole both second and third bases. Chambers scored on a squeeze bunt, for the Marauders’ final run.
Irwin recorded his 5th win of the season (no losses), and Erickson picked up his 2nd Save.
West Virginia Power 10, Greensboro Grasshoppers 1
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A 7-run power surge in the 5th inning gave this game to West Virginia. The Power posted 12 hits, including 3 each by SS Drew Maggi, RF Dan Grovatt, and 1B Justin Howard.
Maggi began the game with a single into left field, and scored on Grovatt’s RBI double. The Power added another run in the 3rd. C Kawika Emsley-Pai and Maggi led off with back-to-back singles, then a single gave Grovatt another RBI as Emsley-Pai came in to score. Maggi and Grovatt both stole bases (3rd and 2nd), and Howard walked to load the bases, but DH Chase Lyles struck out and Maggi was picked off third to end the inning.
With a 2-0 lead, the Power started the big rally in the 5th, sending 11 batters to the plate. Emsley-Pai and Maggi again led off with back-to-back singles. 2B Andy Vasquez bunted, but a throwing error by the Greensboro catcher let Emsley-Pai score (1) and put Maggi and Vasquez into scoring position. Grovatt and Howard both singled, with Grovatt driving in both Maggi and Vasquez (2,3). Lyles reached on a throwing error, loading the bases. CF Mel Rojas grounded out for the first out of the inning, but that allowed Grovatt to score from third (4). After a strikeout, 3B Kevin Mort lifted a 3-run homer over the left field wall (5,6,7). Emsley-Pai walked after the homer, but he was left on base when Maggi ended the inning with a ground out. Howard gave the Power one final run in the top of the 9th, with a solo home run.
Zack Von Rosenberg pitched 5 scoreless innings for the Power and earned his second win. He gave up a double to the first batter he faced in the game, then retired the next 8 batters he faced. Von Rosenberg allowed a single in the 3rd and worked around a fielding error and a single in the 4th. He retired the side in order in the 5th. Trent Stevenson relieved Von Rosenberg to begin the 6th. He was greeted by a solo homer from the first batter he faced, but allowed only 2 other singles over the final 4 innings, to earn his 3rd Save.
