Marauders Storm Back in 8th, Win 3-2
Published on August 31, 2013 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release
BRADENTON, Fla. (August 31, 2013) - The Bradenton Marauders scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning for a come-from-behind win, 3-2, over the Fort Myers Miracle on Saturday at McKechnie Field.
After pitching seven scoreless innings and entering the eight with a two-run lead, Miracle starter David Hurlbut walked Ashley Ponce and gave up a single to Taylor Lewis. After Gift Ngoepe laid down a sacrifice bunt, Hurlbut was replaced with Tyler Jones out of the Miracle bullpen.
Facing Stetson Allie, Jones (1-3) allowed a sacrifice fly that scored Ponce. Then, Willy Garcia slapped a ground ball through the right side to bring in Lewis and tie the game, 2-2. Dan Gamache and Elias Diaz then reached on back-to-back infield hits to load the bases. With two outs, Jones plunked Devan Ivany on the arm with a 2-2 pitch that forced in the go-ahead run and eventually gave the Marauders a 3-2 win.
The Miracle broke a scoreless tie in the fifth with a run off Marauders starter Robby Rowland. With two outs, Mike Kvasnicka laced a single into right field and stole second. Then, Andy Leer smacked a base hit into left field to plate Kvasnicka and put the Miracle up, 1-0.
In the sixth, Fort Myers touched up Rowland for another run. Stephen Wickens led off with a single into right, but was retired on a force play at second hit into by Byron Buxton. With one out and Buxton at first, Kennys Vargas hit a screaming line drive off the top of the wall in left center field and Buxton scored from first.
Marauder reliever Matt Benedict came in to record the final two outs of the sixth and pitched the rest of the game. Benedict (3-9) went 3.2 innings without giving up a run and yielded just one hit.
Hurlbut got the no decision for the Miracle and tossed 7.1 innings with six strikeouts. Hurlbut scattered nine hits, gave up two runs and issued just one walk.
The Miracle (78-56, 33-34) wrap up the regular season schedule with a 12:05 p.m. first pitch on Sunday at Hammond Stadium against Bradenton. Fans can tune in to every pitch on www.miraclebaseball.com with the "Voice of the Miracle" Brice Zimmerman and Adam MacDonald. The Square 1 Burgers & Bar pregame show begins at 11:45 p.m.
Florida State League Stories from August 31, 2013
- 'Tees End Home Slate with a Bang, Top Cubs 5-1 - Brevard County Manatees
- Marauders Storm Back in 8th, Win 3-2 - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Blue Jays Blank Threshers' Bats, 3-0 - Clearwater Threshers
- Manatees Blasted by Cubs, 11-6 - Brevard County Manatees
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