ports Marauders Look to Second Half as Slump Continues

BRADENTON – The Bradenton Marauders were stumped against the Ft Myers Miracle in Tuesday night’s 5-3 loss. That game marks the eighth loss in the past 10 games, but the majority of the carnage has come from multiple facets of the game. On a night when the Marauders’ starting pitcher goes six innings deep and only gives up three runs, our relief pitchers struggle to close the game out. On a night when the offense is making solid contact with the ball and bringing runners in, the starting pitching is never able to settle into a groove. The team hasn’t been showing the consistency they have previously demonstrated, which has been the catalyst to their dry spell.

Colton Cain photo by Craig Jorgensen

Tuesday night’s loss was credited to Colton Cain’s outing, as he pitched four innings and gave up five runs, while only gathering one strikeout. All five runs were earned in the top of the first to start the game off. The Marauders were in a race from the beginning, and the three runs they put up in the fourth inning were never enough. Ft Myers found their edge against Bradenton as they were able to get on base with runners in scoring position, batting a team total of .500. The Marauders, on the other hand, were never able to get a grip. Their team average with runners ready to score was .077. 

Looking back in time, the Marauders were swept in their three-game home stand against Jupiter this past weekend. The team was never able to contain the damage, as they gave up a total of 34 runs to the Hammerheads, and were only able to collect 14 in the three game series themsleves. The game on June 9 came and went with much disappointment to Gerrit Cole in particular. The young, rising star pitched five innings and gave up only three runs. The Marauders were leading the Hammerheads 5-3 by the time Cole was pulled from the game, in which case his relievers gave up a total of eight runs in the top of the sixth inning alone. The Hammerheads closed the game out 13-5.

The Marauders will finish up their three game series against Ft Myers tonight and then rest up during the all-star break (pitchers Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon will represent the squad). The club returns home Monday to take on the St. Lucie Mets in a three game set, as part of a four-game home stretch that opens the second half of the season and a fresh start for the team (the first and second half champions in each division square off in the playoffs, with the winners meeting in the FSL championship series).

Be sure to make it out to McKechnie Field Monday, June 18, for the Florida Central Credit Union buyout night. Support the team by picking up your free tickets courtesy of the Credit Union at 701 9th St W., Bradenton. Have young kids who would love a day at the ballpark? Be sure to attend Tuesday’s Summer Camp Day at McKechnie at 10 a.m. It is necessary to book in advance to receive the special ticket and lunch package for young campers.