Three Pitchers Combine for Fifth Shutout of Season & Fifth Straight Victory

BRADENTON, FL — Thomas Harrington, Connor Oliver, and Hung-Leng Chang (1-1) combined to toss the Marauders’ fifth straight win, in a 4-0 victory over the St. Lucie Mets on Tuesday night at LECOM Park.

After Harrington faced the minimum in two innings, Garret Forrester led off the bottom of the second with a double. After a balk from Austin Troesser (1-3) advanced Forrester to third base with two outs, Kalae Harrison pushed a bunt up the third base line to score Forrester and give Bradenton a 1-0 lead.

St. Lucie’s best scoring chance came in the fourth against Connor Oliver who walked a pair of batters with two outs. Jose Hernandez struck out to end the threat.

Troesser induced a groundout to begin the sixth before the next three batters reached base safely to end his outing. Forrester doubled and Eddy Rodriguez walked to bring up Omar Alfonzo who hit a ground rule double to left field to score Forrester and extend the Bradenton lead to 2-0.

Jimmy Loper entered out of the bullpen and induced a groundout to Harrison, which scored Rodriguez to make it 3-0 Marauders. A single from Juan Jerez plated Alfonzo to close out the three-run inning.

The Mets had two more chances with two runners on base in the seventh and eighth against Chang but failed to score. The Marauders pitching staff left seven runners on base while St. Lucie was 0-for-5 hitting with runners in scoring position.

In his first rehab start with Bradenton, Harrington struck out three and walked just one in three scoreless frames. Chang tied his career-high, hurling five scoreless frames while punching out four. Bradenton has now shut out their opponent three times in their last five games.

The Marauders and Mets continue their six-game series at LECOM Park on Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:10 p.m. on the Marauders Broadcast Network.