Marauders Lose Heartbreaker in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. — The Marauders saw a four-run lead slip away in the late innings in a 6-5, ten-inning loss to the Tampa Tarpons on Friday night at Steinbrenner Field.

With the loss, the Marauders (29-16, 58-52) lost one game of distance from both second-place Dunedin (2.5 games back) and third-place Tampa (three games back) in the FSL West standings.

Entering the bottom of the eighth inning with a 5-1 lead, Bradenton brought left-hander Cy Nielson on to pitch for his Single-A debut. After a groundout to begin the frame, Nielson walked Tayler Aguilar and Ben Rice, then let the pitch clock expire on a 3-2 count to Madison Santos, resulting in an automatic walk to load the bases for Tampa (25-18, 52-57). Right-hander Wilkin Ramos entered to pitch and served up a grand slam to Christopher Familia, tying the score at 5-5.

Neither team scored in the ninth inning. In the top of the tenth, the Marauders left extra-inning baserunner Sergio Campana stranded in scoring position, as Jack Brannigan hit into a double play and Bubba Chandler struck out looking against right-hander Danny Watson. The Tarpons manufactured the winning run in the bottom half off Carlos Campos, who began by walking Madison Santos. A flyout to right field by Familia advanced extra-inning runner Ben Rice from second to third, and Luis Santos plated Rice with a game-winning single to left-center.

The loss was the first in eight extra-inning games this season for the Marauders.

The defeat overshadowed a brilliant start by southpaw Luis Peralta, who held the Tarpons scoreless over five innings and matched his career-high with nine strikeouts. Peralta allowed just one hit and one walk.

Bradenton had stormed ahead in the third inning with a four-run rally off Tampa starter Zach Messinger. After a single, a hit-by-pitch, and a walk loaded the bases, Tanner Tredaway lined a base hit to right field. Deivis Nadal and Nick Cimillo scored easily from third and second, respectively, and Tsung-Che Cheng also scored on the play upon hesitation by the Tarpons infield after receiving the ball from the outfield. Tredaway then stole second base and scored on a Brannigan single for a 4-0 Marauders lead.

Messinger lasted four innings and finished with a career-high eight strikeouts. The righty combined with three Tampa relievers to fan 20 Bradenton hitters, a season-high in strikeouts for the Marauders offensively.

The Marauders added a run in the top of the seventh when Cimillo scored on a wild pitch by Enrique Santana, but the Tarpons scored in the bottom half in similar fashion when Luis Santos raced home on a wild offering by Johan Montero.

The series continues Friday with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Steinbrenner Field. RHP Valentin Linarez will start for the Marauders, while Tampa will counter with LHP Joel Valdez.

For more information about the Bradenton Marauders, please call (941) 747-3031, visit BradentonMarauders.com, or email [email protected].

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