ports St. Lucie 9, Bradenton 3

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PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets (1-1, 36-36) led from start to finish on Friday night at Tradition Field, winning 9-3 over the Marauders (1-1, 33-39). Logan Taylor (W, 2-5) tossed seven innings for the Mets and struck out three without a walk. The Mets two through four hitters combined for 12 hits.

St. Lucie opened the scoring in the second inning with a controversial inside-the-park home run. With two runners on and nobody out, Victor Cruzado hit a soft looping ball into left field that kicked to the left and came to rest under the Mets’ bullpen bench. The ball was ruled live and all three runners scored to put St. Lucie up 3-0.

RHP Frank Duncan (L, 4-2) started for the Marauders and struck out three over five innings. LF Barrett Barnes had two hits, an RBI, and a run scored. 1B Edwin Espinal was 2-for-4 with a two-run double.

The game began after a 62 minute weather delay at 7:32 p.m. under cloudy skies, 80 degrees, and wind blowing 2 mph without a defined direction. Robert Stock made his Marauders debut. debut. Cruzado’s home run was the first inside the park HR against the Marauders since 8/1/12 at Lakeland.

The Marauders return home to host the Brevard County Manatees in game one of a four games series at 6:30 p.m. RHP Tyler Eppler will be on the mound against RHP Johnny Hellweg. Live streaming audio will be available on www.BradentonMarauders.com and on the TuneIn App.