Fort Myers Flexes Muscle over Marauders, 9-2
Published on May 26, 2022 under Florida State League (FSL)
Bradenton Marauders News Release
BRADENTON, Fla. - After maintaining a close score through four innings, the Marauders saw the visitors pull away in the fifth en route to a 9-2 loss on Thursday night at LECOM Park.
The loss was the third straight for the Marauders (19-23), who now sit a season-low four games under .500.
Southpaw Steve Hajjar (2-1) pitched five and two-thirds scoreless innings for Fort Myers (28-13), matching his career-high with ten strikeouts. Kyle Schmidt led the Mighty Mussels offensively, belting two home runs, including a grand slam in the fifth inning.
Marauders starter Po-Yu Chen (0-4) was sharp through four innings, initially allowing just one run on a double-play grounder in the second inning. But in the fifth, Chen allowed a double and two walks to load the bases, and Schmidt launched a first-pitch offering over the wall in left-center for a grand slam and a 5-0 Mussels lead.
The mistake pitch skewed Chen's final line, as the right-hander matched his career-high with seven strikeouts and limited Fort Myers to three hits across five innings.
But while the Marauders' bats continued to struggle, the Mighty Mussels added to their lead. The visitors loaded the bases in the sixth against reliever Dante Mendoza and plated two runs when Bradenton shortstop Deivis Nadal booted a two-out grounder, growing Fort Myers' lead to 7-0.
After the Mussels tallied a run off Yunior Thibo in the eighth via a fielder's choice grounder, the Marauders collected their first runs in the bottom of the eighth on a Brenden Dixon two-run triple. But in the ninth, Schmidt blasted a solo homer to left field off Jack Hartman, giving the Mussels' catcher a five-RBI night.
Relievers Jackson Hicks, Reggie Grace Jr., and Niklas Rimmel held Bradenton's production to a minimum, with Hicks and Rimmel turning in scoreless outings.
Eight of nine Marauders hitters reached base via a hit or a walk, but the team left three runners stranded at third base on the evening and hit into two double plays, both of which erased leadoff singles in the fourth and seventh innings.
The series continues Friday with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at LECOM Park. Fort Myers will start RHP Marco Raya (2-1, 2.63 ERA), while the Marauders have yet to announce their starter.
For more information about the Bradenton Marauders, please call (941) 747-3031, visit BradentonMarauders.com.
Florida State League Stories from May 26, 2022
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- Santos Drives in Four, Hammerheads Win - Jupiter Hammerheads
- Hamel Ks 9 Jays, Mets Win Second in a Row - St. Lucie Mets
- Fort Myers Flexes Muscle over Marauders, 9-2 - Bradenton Marauders
- One Day Baseball Clinic June 12th - Dunedin Blue Jays
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