Bradenton Blows Out Clearwater 7-1

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The Marauders (30-28) defeated the Clearwater Threshers (12-45) for the third consecutive day, thrashing the Phillies’ High-A affiliate 7-1 on Tuesday night at Bright House Field. Chad Kuhl (W, 6-4) secured his league-leading sixth win by pitching six innings and collecting a career-best eight strikeouts.

Bradenton did all of its scoring in the first inning with two outs. Clearwater starter Jeb Stefan (L, 2-6) struck out the first two batters of the game before surrendering a seemingly innocuous infield single to Adam Frazier. Josh Bell followed with a walk, and then the flood gates opened. A single and an error off the bat of Jordan Steranka plated Frazier, Jose Osuna’s two-run double increased the lead to 3-0, Jin-De Jhang singled home Osuna, Eric Wood doubled to plate the inning’s fifth run, and Taylor Lewis chased  Stefan with a triple that scored Wood. Jeff Roy’s RBI-single off Dan Childs capped the Bradenton scoring for the game.

Kuhl struck out two batters in each of the first three innings. He finished the fourth and sixth frames with strikeouts as well. The righty surrendered only four hits and one run over his six frames. Robby Rowland faced the minimum over two innings of relief. Jhondaniel Medina fired a scoreless ninth.

Osuna and Steranka each were playing for the first time since being activated from the disabled list. Steranka went 2-for-4, while Osuna was 1-for-4.

The Marauders face the Brevard County Manatees on Wednesday night at Space Coast Stadium. John Kuchno will start for the Marauders. First pitch is at 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast online at www.BradentonMarauders.com.

The box score for Tuesday's game can be seen here; the Play-by-Play review can be viewed here.