Bradenton Marauders Lose Late to Ft Myers Miracle, 5-4

FORT MYERS – The Bradenton Marauders, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, dropped another late decision Thursday, falling 5-4 at Hammond Stadium to the Fort Myers Miracle.

The Marauders got on the board first, plating two runs in the third inning after loading the bases with one out.  Bengie Gonzalez began the rally with a double, Robbie Grossman walked and Jarek Cunningham was hit by a pitch to set up a Ramon Cabrera two-run single.  Bradenton carried a short lived 2-0 advantage to the bottom of the third.

In the next half inning Fort Myers responded, plating three off Bradenton starter Nate Baker.  Anderson Hidalgo led off with a single followed by a Jhon Goncalves walk and a Brian Dozier double.  The final hit plated two runs.  Dozier scored when he stole third and Cabrera’s throw went into left field. Fort Myers added a run the fifth for a 4-2 lead.

Bradenton answered in the sixth when Cabrera again came through.  The Marauders backstop led off with a triple ahead of an Aaron Baker RBI single.  The Baker hit bounced Miracle starter Matt Schuld from the game.  An Elevys Gonzalez groundout brought home Baker three batters later for the 4-4 tie.

Fort Myers took the lead for good in the seventh, getting a leadoff single from Hidalgo for the third time in the game.  The designated hitter scored off reliever Jhonathan Ramos four batters later on a single up the origin from Nick Romero.

Cabrera was the offensive star for the Marauders, finishing with three hits, two RBI and a triple.

The win went to Shooter Hunt in relief.  The righty improved to 2-0.  Ramos suffered his first defeat and Dakota Watts was credited with his third save.

The two teams close their three-game series Friday in fort Myers with the Marauders sending ace Kyle McPherson to the mound.  The righty will be opposed by Kane Holbrooks for Fort Myers.  First pitch is set for 7:05.  Radio coverage will begin at 6:50 on 1280-AM WTMY.  For more information visit BradentonMarauders.com.