Marauders Split Series with Threshers

CLEARWATER -- Two home runs by Maikel Franco powered the Threshers to a 6-3 win over the Marauders Thursday night at Bright House Field in Clearwater. The Marauders and Threshers split the series two games apiece. Bradenton returns home Friday to start a seven-game homestand.

secondshotphoto.com

Trailing 1-0 in the fourth, Gregory Polanco got the Marauders on the board with his fifth home run of the season. The solo homer off Gabriel Arias (W, 5-1) knotted the score.

Clearwater scored in four straight innings beginning in the third. Robby Rowland (L, 2-2) surrendered a two-run homer to Franco in the bottom of the fourth, and another run in the fifth on a balk. Rowland was replaced after five innings. Matt Benedict finished the game on the mound, surrendering an unearned run in the sixth and a solo shot to Franco in the eighth.

The Marauders plated two runs and brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh. Chris Nichols replaced Arias and struck out Eric Avila to end the threat. Luis Garcia (SV, 5) struck Avila out to end the game and record a six out save.

Chase d’Arnaud went 0-for-3 in the first game of his rehab stint with the Marauders. He played shortstop and made a lunging catch on a line drive from Carlos Alonso in the first.