Irwin, Grossman Lead Marauders in Shutout of Stone Crabs

PORT CHARLOTTE – The Bradenton Marauders, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, used a scoreless outing from Phillip Irwin and a top night from Robbie Grossman to beat the Charlotte Stone Crabs 4-0 at Charlotte Sports Park.

Irwin, who qualified for the Florida State League Top-10 in ERA with his outing, allowed only seven hits, six singles, over seven innings while only walking one batter.  The seven innings ties his career high for longest effort.  His ERA is now 2.08 and should rank among the top four in the league when new stats are released.

The bullpen was just as solid behind Irwin with Duke Welker and Ryan Beckman facing the minimum in their two innings.  The Marauders induced a season best four double plays.

The Marauders offense was stirred by leadoff man Robbie Grossman.  The outfielder scored three runs and upped his Florida State League leading total to 51 on the season.  He began the game with a walk in the first and scored on a Ramon Cabrera groundout.  Cabrera also drove him in with a single after another walk in the fifth.  Grossman scored again after a single in the seventh when Elevys Gonzalez drove him in.  The other Marauders run came home in the sixth on back-to-back-to-back singles by Evan Chambers, David Rubinstein and Calvin Anderson.

The Marauders picked up a game on first place Fort Myers and now trail the Miracle by five games with 12 to play in the first half.  Also tied for first, St. Lucie was idle.  Bradenton trails the Mets by five and a half games.

Following an off day Tuesday the Marauders travel to Roger Dean Stadium for the third time this season.  A three game series with the Jupiter Hammerheads sits ahead with game one Wednesday at 6:35.  Radio coverage begins at 6:20 on 1280-AM WTMY.  For more information call 941-747-3031 or visit BradentonMarauders.com.