King Jr.’s Homer Powers Marauders to 6-4 Win
Scherrer drives in two go-ahead runs in the fifth, Cain collects first save with 2.0 scoreless frames
Eddie King Jr. clobbered his fourth homer of the year with a go-ahead two-run shot in the fourth, powering the Bradenton Marauders (24-22) in a 6-4 win over the St. Lucie Mets (21-26) on Wednesday from LECOM Park. Luke Scherrer drove in two runs with a go-ahead single, while Brandon Cain collected his first save of the year with 2.0 shutout frames.
After the Mets took a 2-0 lead off Marauders starter Jack Anker in the top of the fourth, but Bradenton responded in the bottom half of the inning. Josh Tate singled and moved to second on a throwing error from Mets starter Cam Tilly to put a runner in scoring position. Tate moved to third on a single by Edgleen Perez and plated on a wild pitch to make it 2-1. King Jr. homered to left, putting Bradenton up 3-2.
St. Lucie plated a run in the top of the fifth against Bradenton reliever David Matoma, but the Marauders answered back with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Dylan Palmer walked, Tate reached on a fielding error, and King Jr. walked to load the bases. Scherrer singled to center, scoring Palmer and Tate to make it 5-3. With King Jr. at third, Cristian Jauregui earned a sacrifice flyout to center and put the Marauders up 6-3.
The Mets plated a run in the top of the sixth but went scoreless the rest of the way to finalize a 6-4 victory for the Marauders.
Matoma (1-2) notched the win, letting up a run (zero earned) on a hit, two walks, and two strikeouts. Tilly (2-2) took the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) on five hits, four walks, and six strikeouts over 4.1 frames. Cain (1) held the save with two strikeouts over 2.0 shutout innings.
The Marauders and Mets play game three of a six-game series on Thursday from LECOM Park with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. RHP Jaiker Garcia (0-1, 6.23) takes the ball for Bradenton, while RHP Jose Chirinos (2-1, 2.75) is on the mound for St. Lucie.
For more information about the Bradenton Marauders, please call 941-747-3031, visit www.BradentonMarauders.com, or email MaraudersInfo@pirates.com.