Friday Woes: Offense Stifled Again in 4-1 Defeat

BRADENTON, FL — The Bradenton Marauders mustered just four hits in their 4-1 defeat to the Daytona Tortugas on Friday night at LECOM Park.

For the second straight night, Daytona plated a run in the top of the first inning. Ricardo Cabera tallied one-out single, then stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error from Justin Miknis. With two-outs, Alfredo Duno hit a bloop single to centerfield to score Cabrera and give the Tortugas a 1-0 advantage.

The lone Marauders run of the game came in the fifth against Nestor Lorant (2-0) when Juan Jerez blasted a solo home run to left field to cut the deficit in half to 2-1.

Daytona added on to their lead in the sixth with some two-out offense. After Duno launched a triple off the wall in centerfield, Ariel Almonte doubled him home to extend the Tortugas lead to 3-1. Duno later plated another run with a double the eighth to complete the scoring.

Carlson Reed (0-1) punched out a career-high eight batters while allowing just one earned run in four innings. In his first Minor League rehab appearance, Elijah Birdsong retired the side in order in a scoreless inning.

With a single in the first, Jesus Castillo extended his on-base streak to 13 games to begin the 2024 season. It’s currently the longest active on-base streak in the Florida State League.

The Marauders and Tortugas continue their six-game series on Saturday night at LECOM Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:10 p.m. on the Marauders Broadcast Network. Bradenton will send LHP Michael Kennedy (0-1, 6.43) to the mound, opposite of RHP Ben Brutti (0-0, 5.68) for the Tortugas.

Marauders Record:
2-11