Robbie Grossman Walks Off Miracle in 5-4 Marauders Win

BRADENTON – The Bradenton Marauders, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, walked off with their first extra inning win of 2011 Saturday, toppling the Fort Myers Miracle 5-4 at McKechnie Field.

Tied at four in the bottom of the 11th, Bradenton loaded the bases with one out on a single and a stolen base by Adalberto Santos, an intentional walk to Carlos Paulino and a bloop single to center by Bengie Gonzalez.  After a mound conference Robbie Grossman stepped to the plate and lined a 2-1 pitched over the leap of Reggie Williams at second and into right field.  Santos scored for a 5-4 win.

Robbie Grossman's game-winning hit photo by Craig Jorgensen

The Marauders attack in the 11th was preceded by a bases loaded rush in the 10th.  Bradenton got a leadoff single from Gonzalez, followed by sacrifice bunt attempts that turned into hits by Grossman and Jarek Cunningham.  Fort Myers reliever Matthew Hauser came through with the next three outs to retire the side.

Bradenton had gotten off to an early start, scoring four runs in the first three innings.  Grossman began with a leadoff walk in the first and was driven in by an Aaron Baker double.  Paulino batted in Santos with a double in the second.  He scored on a squeeze bunt from Bengie Gonzalez.  In the third Bradenton used a double by Cunningham and a triple by Calvin Anderson to score.   It was the first triple for Anderson in his year and a half with the team.

The Miracle offense responded in the third fourth and fifth innings, scoring four runs of its own, highlighted by Nick Romero’s second homerun of the season.

The win goes to Ryan Beckman, his first, and the loss to Hauser, his first.  Marauders righthander Brett Sinkbeil made his first start of the season, allowing three runs over four innings.

The Marauders take their three game series to Fort Myers Sunday at 1pm.  Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer is scheduled to catch for the Miracle on the Major League rehab.  Radio coverage begins at 12:45 on 1280-AM WTMY.  For more information call 941-747-3031 or visit BradentonMarauders.com.