ports Marauders Head into Homestand Seeking Consistency

BRADENTON – As the Bradenton Marauders (18-19) sat out Tuesday night’s game due to a rain delay, there was much to think about. The second overall pick in the 2010 Draft, Jameson Taillon, started off the year a bit shaky with a loss in his first appearance. Taillon racked up 4.91 earned runs in only 3.2 innings. However, with more appearances under his belt he has become more consistent, and he took on a huge role in the Marauders’ starting rotation.

Consistency, in all facets of the game, is the key to successful teams. The Marauders are making their way to success, as they collected 61 runs in the past 10 games and gave up only 32. They have also chipped their combined ERA down from 3.75 to 3.2. Nonetheless, there are areas where the club would surely like to improve.

The past 10 games for the Marauders have been positive, as they post a 6-4 record. Taillon is 1-1 during that stretch, and his 2-0 loss on May 4 was owed mostly to a lack of run support. When a starting pitcher steps off the mound six-innings deep, and with only two runs on the scoreboard, a manager has to be happy with that performance. However, the opposing pitching shut down the Marauders’ offense for nine innings. The winning pitcher for the Tampa Yankees that night was Jose Ramirez, who collected a total of 10 strikeouts in six innings. The Marauders made Ramirez look like a strikeout king, while he is responsible for a 5.06 ERA on the year.

The second loss acquired over the past 10 games came during Colton Cain’s outing. Cain pitched solid through five innings, keeping a 2-1 lead over the Clearwater Threshers. However, when Cain stepped on the mound for the sixth inning he was only good for one out, giving up three runs and the lead before he was pulled. Bradenton lost again to the Threshers on May 11 in a close one. The Marauders rallied late in the ninth inning to tie it 3-3. However, reliever Quinton Miller came out in the 10th inning to attempt to hold the tie, but ended up losing the game by giving up a run.

Gerrit Cole

Jameson Taillon

The 4-1 loss against the St. Lucie Mets came May 14, when the pitching squad again suffered a lack of run support. The starter, Tyler Waldron, didn’t have a great outing, as he pitched five innings with 10 hits and four runs, but the offense did little to help him out. Seven out of the nine batters struck out at least once, and the Marauders had only four base hits, versus St. Lucie’s 11.

Even with his shaky first start, Taillon has a record of 2-2 on the season and a promising 1.47 ERA. In his last four starts, Taillon has given up three runs. He has consolidated his spot as the Marauders’ top pitcher, and will start against St. Lucie in the first game of Wednesday’s double-header. With this Tuesday rain delay, the team should be thinking about their level of consistency, as Taillon attempts to add another win to his statistics.

Fellow first-rounder Gerrit Cole, who was taken first overall in the 2011 draft, has also found his rhythm as of late. Cole started the season on shaky ground, though he was able to skate away with three straight no decisions and only one loss, despite giving up 13 runs in 16 innings over his first four starts.  However, the 6'4' 220-pound right-hander has managed two wins and a no decision in his last three starts for a 2-1 record, while bringing his ERA down to 3.18.

After the double-header against St. Lucie, the Marauders come back to Bradenton for an eight-game home stand, where exciting promotions will take place for the fans. McKechnie Field will host the ”Cash Crawl“ and Thirsty Thursday, offering $1 sodas and select draft beers, on May 17. The ”Cash Crawl“ is a $1,500 total giveaway. Lucky fans will find money in their seat, in hot dog wrappers, and tucked in T-shirts, which will be fired into the crowd.

There will be a team photo giveaway on May 18, and a Marauders camouflage hat will be given out for Military Appreciation Day on May 19. Marty the Marauder’s birthday is May 20, and he will be sharing cake with the fans in celebration. First Mates Kids Club night is May 22, and Plunder Your Hunger will be hosted by Jersey Mike’s Subs on May 23. For more information on promotions for the upcoming home stand, click here.