Dunedin Tops Marauders 8-7

DUNEDIN – The Marauders (11-20) erased a 7-4 deficit late in the game, but fell 8-7 to the Dunedin Blue Jays on Monday at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. The winning run scored in the bottom of the ninth on a wild pitch by Joan Montero (L, 0-2).

photo by secondshotphoto.com

Tied 7-7 in the ninth, Matt Newman singled off Montero with one out. Nick Baligod followed with a double to put runners at second and third. After a strikeout of Jon Berti, Montero fired a pitch low to Peter Mooney, narrowly missing the batter, and kicking away from Jacob Stallings to end the game.

The Marauders overcame two Dunedin home runs in the game, both allowed by starter Adrian Sampson. Sampson surrendered seven runs over four and 2/3 innings. Emmanuel De Leon and Montero held the Blue Jays scoreless from there until the ninth.

Gregory Polanco highlighted the Marauders 13-hit attack with his fourth home run of the season in the fifth inning. Polanco also walked three times and stole two bases. Benji Gonzalez and Taylor Lewis both had three hit nights. Gonzalez hit a triple, as did Willy Garcia for one of his two hits.

Dunedin’s offense was powered by catcher A.J. Jimenez, who went 3-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored. Jon Talley had two hits and Marcus Knecht also homered for the Blue Jays. Tony Davis (2-0) pitched two innings in relief to earn the win.

The Marauders have played a league-high 14 one-run games, going 5-9 in games decided by a single tally.

Game three of the series is Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. Eliecer Navarro is slated to start for the Marauders. The game will be broadcast online on www.BradentonMarauders.com.