Axiel Plaz Homers in Debut, Marauders Fall on Friday Night
TAMPA, FL — After another quality start from Michael Kennedy (1-2), the Bradenton Marauders fall short 5-2 to the Tampa Tarpons on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Kennedy and Allen Facundo (1-1) were deadlocked in a pitchers early dual until the Tarpons scored two in the fifth. On
TAMPA, FL — After another quality start from Michael Kennedy (1-2), the Bradenton Marauders fall short 5-2 to the Tampa Tarpons on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Kennedy and Allen Facundo (1-1) were deadlocked in a pitchers early dual until the Tarpons scored two in the fifth. On the first pitch of the inning, Hans Montero belted a solo-home run to left field to take a 1-0 lead. The next two batters reached on a walk and an error before George Lombard bounced into a double play. With Coby Morales at third and two outs, Tyler Hardman singled back up the middle to double the Tarpons lead at 2-0.
The Marauders answered right away on a solo blast from Eddy Rodriguez in the sixth to cut the lead to 2-1. Tampa responded back with a run in the sixth. After Dylan Jasso reached on a dropped pop-fly, Jackson Castillo doubled him home to give the Tarpons a 3-1 advantage. Hunter Furtado punched out the next three batters to end the threat.
In his Single-A debut, Axiel Plaz led off the seventh with a home run to again cut the Tarpons lead to 3-2. Sergio Campana and Javier Rivas singled and then advanced a base on a sacrifice bunt from Solomon Maguire. With two runners in scoring position and just one out, Cade Austin retired the next two hitters to end the threat. Plaz finished the night 2-for-4 at the plate.
Tyler Kennedy walked the bases loaded in the eighth with a wild pitch and an RBI groundout from Montero scoring two more to close out the scoring. Montana Semmel (SV,1) retired the side in the ninth to close out the game.
Kennedy allowed just the two runs while striking out seven in five frames. The southpaw has pitched at least five innings in his last five starts.
Esmerlyn Valdez singled in the eighth to extend his on-base streak to 18-games, the longest active streak in the Florida State League.
The Marauders and Tarpons continue their series on Saturday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:10 p.m. on the Marauders Broadcast Network. Bradenton turns to RHP Khristian Curtis (0-2, 5.40) on the hill, while RHP Josh Grosz (1-3, 6.66) goes opposite for Tampa.