Marauders Struggle to 0-5 Start, Return Home This Weekend

photo by secondshotphoto.com

BRADENTON – The Bradenton Marauders are off to a sluggish start, dropping their first five games, while giving up 33 runs. The team, a High-A Minor League affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, has a relatively young and less-experienced squad after advancing several key players deeper into the organization.

The Marauders dropped a close 4-3 loss in the season opener to the Ft. Myers Miracle, who went on the sweep the 4-game series. The club then headed down to Charlotte to take on the Stone Crabs, a Tampa Rays affiliate, dropping the series opener 6-2.

The two teams finish their series Thursday (last night's game was in progress as of deadline), before Bradenton returns home for a three-game series with the St. Lucie Mets, who eliminated the Marauders from the 2011 playoffs and posted the Florida State League’s best record in 2012.

The series features the first of five concerts in the first ever Marauders Concert Series, a postgame performance by Tampa rock group Pitbull Toddler. Friday is a Happy Hour Friday presented by Pier 22 Restaurant. Between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. there will be 500 free hot dogs given away at the outfield concessions stand and $1 domestic drafts and $1 fountain sodas from Kayem and Cheney Brothers at the Kona Bar and the Yuengling Plaza Bar.

After the game on Saturday, Pitbull Toddler will perform on the right field boardwalk. A ticket to the game is required to attend the concert. The band has been performing since 2008, and is made up of members from the Cowhead Show, a fixture on Tampa radio for more than two decades.

The series concludes Sunday, April 14. All Sunday games at McKechnie Field are Wendy’s Family Fun Sundays, meaning all tickets are only $1 and regular-size Kayem hot dogs cost only $1. Tickets must be purchased at the McKechnie Field ticket office to get the $1 pricing. After Sunday games, children 13 and younger can run the bases in the Kids Fun Run.