ports Lakeland 7, Bradenton 6

SecondShotPhoto.com

LAKELAND — LF Barrett Barnes crushed his first home run of the season, but the Marauders (21-22) fell 7-6 to the Lakeland Flying Tigers (21-21) on Saturday night at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Flying Tigers scored the game’s final four runs to erase a 6-3 deficit.

Barnes broke a 3-3 tie with a two-run home run in the fifth inning. C Reese McGuire added an RBI single later in the inning to chase Lakeland starter Kevin Ziomek and push the lead to 6-3.

RHP Frank Duncan pitched six innings and struck out three without a walk. He allowed four total runs, but only two earned. He exited the game with a 6-4 lead after surrendering an unearned run in the sixth.

Lakeland knotted the score on a two-run home run by Raph Rhymes to left field off of LHP Andy Otamendi (L, 2-5). Javier Betancourt followed with a triple, and one out later Ben Verlander doubled home the deciding run.

3B Chris Diaz doubled in the ninth inning to put the tying run at second with nobody out. Lakeland’s Paul Voelker struck out two of the next three batters to earn the save. Julio Felix (W, 3-0) went 3 1/3 innings in relief of Ziomek for the win.

The game began at 5:03 p.m. under cloudy skies, 90 degrees, and wind blowing 10 mph in from center field. Jose Osuna hit his 12th double of the season...The home run for Barnes was his first since July 10, which was in a rehab game with the GCL Pirates.

Sunday, the Marauders head back to Joker Marchant Stadium to wrap up the series at 1:00 p.m. The Marauders will send LHP Steven Brault to the mound against RHP Jonathan Maciel for Lakeland. Live streaming audio will be available online at www.BradentonMarauders.com and via the TuneIn App.