Marauders Fall for First Time in a Week

Fort Myers, Fla.--- The Marauders (38-23, 73-53) and the Fort Myers Might Mussels (32-29, 66-61) for the second game of a six-game series on a humid yet pleasant Wednesday night at Hammond Stadium. Bradenton went out in front in the first few innings but could not hang on as they fell 6-5.

The Young Bucs starter Wilber Dotel went four innings, giving up three runs while walking four and striking out none.

Bradenton shot themselves into the lead in the top of the third inning when Rodolfo Nolasco blasted a three-run home run with two outs in the inning to put the good guys comfortably ahead after a third of the game gone by.

Fort Myers' offense sprung to life in the bottom of the fourth, with the first two men up to the plate in the inning walking on five and four pitches, respectively, before first baseman Nate Baez smashed a three-run homer to tie the game at 3-3.

In the bottom of the fifth, Jay Harry and Walker Jenkins both singled to lead off the inning for the Mussels before a sac bunt moved both into scoring position. A wild pitch and RBI groundout would bring the two runners home to put the home team up 5-3 going into the final four innings.

With two outs in the top of the seventh, the Marauders got a two-out base runner on thanks to a two-out walk from Jesus Castillo before Mitch Jebb smashed a home run to right center field, the first of his pro career, to tie the game at 5-5.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Mussels scored a run without a base hit recorded when two walks came back to haunt Bradenton for the second time in the game.

With Fort Myers leading 6-5 going to the ninth, the Marauders were hoping for a late rally to keep the playoff picture somewhat favorable. Still, it was not meant to be, as Bradenton was set down in 1-2-3 fashion.

With the 6-5 loss, the Marauders fall 2.5 games outside of first place with only four games to play in the regular season.