Tarpons' bats fall silent in loss to Marauders

TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Tarpons’ (11-25) offense went quiet, dropping Thursday night’s contest to the Bradenton Marauders (17-19) at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 3-1. Aside from a run in the fourth, Tampa could not generate anything at the plate. Bradenton’s starter, Jason Reed (W, 3-1), worked through six clean innings on the way to earning the win. DH Jasson Domínguez (2-for-4) picked up two hits, including a 111 MPH single, in the second game of his rehab assignment.

RHP Cade Smith (4.1IP, 5H, 3R/2ER, 5BB, 3K) worked a clean four innings before hitting a speed bump in the fifth. He threw his fastball 50% of the time, averaging 94.1 MPH on the heater. Smith struggled to stay in the strike zone as he walked five in his outing.

For the second night in a row, Tampa’s bullpen was lights out. Tonight, it was the duo of RHP Ocean Gabonia and RHP Kris Bow. The two combined to toss 4.2 scoreless innings while striking out seven. Gabonia did not allow a hit in his 3.0 innings while pounding the strike zone. He threw 25 of his 34 pitches in the zone.

CF Jackson Castillo broke the scoreless tie in the fourth. He turned on a hanging slider and drilled it over the right field wall. The 389-foot solo shot left Castillo’s bat at 103.5 MPH.

After a quick first out in the fifth, the Marauders loaded the bases. Keiner Delgado reached on an error, Omar Alfonzo singled, and Esmerlyn Valdez drew a free pass. Eddy Rodriguez stepped up to the plate to put Bradenton in front. Rodriguez hugged a bases-clearing double inside the left field line to put the Marauders up two runs.

The Tarpons will take on the Marauders tomorrow night, with LHP Allen Facundo projected to start. Come enjoy Sink or Swim Friday at GMS Field, with first pitch coming at 6:30 p.m.