Antonio Pimentel’s three-hit night was not enough during a 5-3 loss for the Bradenton Marauders (20-33, 51-67) against the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (28-26, 65-54) on Tuesday from Hammond Stadium. Canon Reeder secured an RBI single, while Garrett McMillan punched out four during his second rehab start.
After Fort Myers put together a run in the bottom of the first, Bradenton responded off Mighty Mussels starter Matt Barr in the top of the fourth. Tre Phelps doubled and came around to score on a single by Pimentel to tie the game 1-1.
Solo homers from Cooper Tinney and Colby Turner off Marauders reliever Jeter Martinez put the Mighty Mussels up 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth.
Fort Myers plated two more runs in the bottom of the eighth, but Bradenton made things interesting in the top of the ninth. Pimentel launched a solo homer, cutting the deficit 5-2. Bralyn Brazoban doubled and scored on a base hit by Reeder to make it 5-3. Mighty Mussels reliever Adam Falinski recorded the final out to complete a 5-3 win for Fort Myers.
Nick McAuliffe (4-2) earned the win, letting up a hit and a walk with three strikeouts over 1.0 frame. Martinez (2-6) took the loss, allowing two runs on two hits, a walk, and two strikeouts over 2.2 innings. Falinski (5) notched the save, letting up two runs on three hits with three strikeouts over 1.2 innings.
The Marauders and Mighty Mussels play a doubleheader on Wednesday with first pitch for game one set for 4:35 p.m.
For more information about the Bradenton Marauders, please call 941-747-3031, visit www.BradentonMarauders.com, or email MaraudersInfo@pirates.com.