Marauders blast Miracle 18-3 in season opener
After jumping out to an early 2-0 lead, the Fort Myers Miracle allowed 18 runs in an 18-3 opening night loss to the Bradenton Marauders. It was the inaugural game for the Bradenton Marauders in the Florida State League as the Pittsburgh Pirates moved their High-A affiliate from Lynchburg, Va., to Bradenton in the offseason. The Marauders replaced the outgoing Sarasota Reds in the FSL South division.
In a nightmarish way to open the season, the Miracle allowed four home runs, including a grand slam and a three-run home run by Bradenton third baseman Jeremy Farrell. Farrell hit his big home runs in the Mauraders’ two biggest innings where they scored seven in the fourth and seven in the seventh.
Kyle Gibson, who started the game for the Miracle, was tagged with the loss in his professional debut in the Twins system. Gibson was drafted in the first round by the Twins in the 2009 Draft but did not pitch last season. He pitched three and two-thirds innings allowing five runs (three earned) while striking out seven.
Fans at the game got a chance to see two current big leaguers pitch in the game. Pirates’ pitcher Joel Hanrahan and Twins’ reliever Ron Mahay both pitched scoreless frames.
The Miracle’s only runs of the night came in the second and eighth innings. Evan Bigley drove in the first run of the night on a bases-loaded double-play groundout, and Jair Fernandez followed with an RBI-double. Ramon Santana added a solo home run in the eighth inning to finish 2-for-4 on the night.
The Miracle make their 19th home debut Friday night.
First pitch at Hammond Stadium is set for 7:05 p.m. with Michael Tarsi set to throw for the Miracle and Jeff Locke for the Marauders.