Marauders Spilt Double Frame With Mets

BRADENTON -- Nathan Adcock (7-2) bounced back from a rare loss to easily handle the St. Lucie lineup through five and a third innings of work. The 6'5 righty had good stuff and probably shouldn't be renting short term, as it seems likely that the struggling Pirates will want to move the promising 22 year old along.

The Marauders take on the Mets at 11 a.m. today

Ramon Aguero was again impressive in relief, picking up his first save. Aguero has been used primarily as a set up man since being sent up from State College. The promising 25 year old has had a streaky career, having come up through the Pirates' Dominican system.

After a disasterous '08, in which he went 1-10 as a starter in low A, he still managed to work his way up to double A as a reliever in '09. Aguero has seemed to have found his groove in the bullpen and the Pirates' organization still thinks quite highly of him as a prospect. Expect to see him back in Altoona some time soon.

In the second stanza last night, the Marauders were once again in control behind a platoon of reserve pitchers. Up 2-1 in the top of the seventh, Bradenton sent ace closer Noah Krol (3-4) to the hill. Sending in Krol is usually like flipping a light switch, but he lacked his best stuff last night. Met slugger and Jacksonville native, Richard Lucas took Krol deep for his 8th homer.

The Marauders were able to get back into the game in the bottom of the 7th, but Quincy Latimore's deep fly ball with a runner on came up a few feet short and Bradenton watched a seemingly sure win slip through their fingers. The series concludes tomorrow with an early 11 am start, before the team heads back out on the road.