Perez Drives in Four, Marauders Strike Down Blue Jays 10-2
Plamer drives in a run with two hits, Gaetano strikes out seven over 4.1 innings
Edgleen Perez picked up four RBIs on two hits in a 10-2 win for the Bradenton Marauders (18-14) over the Dunedin Blue Jays (12-20) on Saturday from TD Ballpark. Dylan Plamer collected an RBI with a hit, while Yonleg Gaetano punched out seven over 4.1 frames.
The Bradenton offense caught fire in the top of the first with four runs off Dunedin starter Silvano Hechavarria. Murf Gray singled and Eddie King Jr. walked to put runners on second and first. A base hit by Perez moved King Jr. to third and scored Gray to make it 1-0. Luke Scherrer reached on a fielding error, allowing Perez to move to second and plate King Jr. Three wild pitches allowed Perez and Scherrer to score and make it 4-0.
In the top of the second, Eddie Rynders walked, while Palmer and Josh Tate notched back-to-back singles to load the bases. A walk by Murf Gray scored Rynders and made it 5-0. King Jr. reached on a fielder’s choice, allowing Palmer to score and make it a 6-0 ballgame. Perez connected for a three-run homer to open it up 9-0.
After the Blue Jays scored a run in the bottom of the fourth, the Marauders answered back with a run in the top of the fifht. Carlos Caro and Rynders earned back-to-back singles to put runners on second and first. Palmer singled, scoring Caro and increasing the lead, 10-1.
Dunedin plated a run in the bottom of the ninth, but the bats stayed quiet to finalize a 10-2 win for Bradenton.
Roilan Portuondo (1-0) notched the win, letting up two hits with three strikeouts over 1.2 scoreless frames. Hechavarria (0-1) took the loss, allowing four runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks over 0.2 innings.
The Marauders and Blue Jays play the series finale of a six-game set on Sunday from TD Ballpark. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m.
For more information about the Bradenton Marauders, please call 941-747-3031, visit www.BradentonMarauders.com, or email MaraudersInfo@pirates.com.