Mussels Drop Series Opener in Bradenton 7-3
April 30, 2024 - Florida State League (FSL)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release
BRADENTON, Fla. - Spencer Bengard struck out seven in his Low-A debut Tuesday, but the Mighty Mussels dropped the series opener 7-3 to the Bradenton Marauders at LECOM Park.
Bengard entered in relief for Twins' rehabber Josh Winder (0-1), and twirled 3.1 innings of one-run ball, with his only blemish coming on a solo home run from Garret Forrester.
Winder, meanwhile, tossed 33 pitches over 1.2 innings, fanning four while allowing two runs.
Bradenton (5-17) jumped in front in the first when Josh Palacios pulled a double off the first base bag. Two batters later, Forrester drilled a single to center to make it 1-0. The next batter was Esmerlyn Valdez, who doubled down the left field line to make it 2-0.
After the Forrester homer extended the lead to 3-0, the Mussels (8-14) got an infield single from Jose Rodriguez with two outs in the sixth. Poncho Ruiz followed by blasting a double off the center field fence to make it 3-1.
The Marauders quickly responded in the bottom of the inning when Kalae Harrison yanked a solo homer inside the right field pole to extend the lead 4-1.
Bradenton took advantage of a fielding error from Isaac Pena in the bottom of the seventh to prolong the inning for Shalin Polanco to demolish a three-run homer and extend the lead to 7-1.
Fort Myers fought back in the eighth. Brandon Winokur drilled a double to the wall in center before Rodriguez drove in Winokur on a fielding error by Harrison. After a Ruiz single moved Rodriguez to third, a wild pitch brought him home to cap the scoring at 7-3.
The Mussels will look to bounce back and even the series at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Coverage begins at 6:15 p.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.
Florida State League Stories from April 30, 2024
- Marauders Blast Three Home Runs En Route to 7-3 Victory - Bradenton Marauders
- O'Halloran Punches Out Nine, Jays Snap Losing Streak - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Threshers Keep Pace Until Four-Run Sixth in Loss - Clearwater Threshers
- Mussels Drop Series Opener in Bradenton 7-3 - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Series Opener in Palm Beach Washed out on Tuesday Night - Daytona Tortugas
- Trent Farquhar Named FSL Player of the Week - Clearwater Threshers
- Mighty Mussels Game Notes - Tuesday, April 30 at Bradenton - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Marauders Begin Longest Homestand of the Season on Tuesday - Bradenton Marauders
- RHP Josh Winder to Rehab for Mussels - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Fort Myers Mighty Mussels Stories
- Eight-Run Inning Powers Fort Myers to 9-3 Victory, Series Sweep over Daytona
- Martinez Lifts Mussels to 5-4 Walk-Off Win over Tortugas
- Mussels Edge Tortugas 8-6 in Series Opener
- Threshers Down Mussels 7-0 in Series Finale
- Hill, McNeely Lead Mussels to 7-2 Win over Threshers
