Marauders take out Miracle in 11 innings
The Bradenton Marauders defeated the Fort Myers Miracle 5-3 in 11 innings Friday night at Hammond Stadium.
Chris Diaz delivered a two-run triple in the top of the 11th off Miracle reliever Brian Gilbert to win it. Michael Fransoso started the frame hit by the first pitch from Gilbert (4-4). A wild pitch moved him to second. After an intentional walk to Wyatt Mathisen, Trace Tam Sing hit into a fielder’s choice that put runners on the corners with two outs. Diaz then laced a 2-2 pitch into the right field corner and two runs scored.
Marauders reliever Montana Durapau remained in the game after giving up a run in the 10th and blowing his first save of the season. Durapau (4-1) recorded the final three outs to seal the win for Bradenton.
The Miracle struck in the second for a run off Marauders starter Tyler Eppler. With one out, Logan Wade flared a single into left and then stole second base. After Marcus Knecht struck out, Ryan Walker beat out a slow roller to the right side for an infield hit. Wade rounded third and appeared to be caught on the bases, but Edwin Espinal’s throw from first to the plate was misplayed by Reese McGuire and Wade scored.
Bradenton tied the game in the third. Miracle starter Mat Batts gave up a one-out double down the third base line to Tam Sing to start the frame. Diaz then lined an RBI single into center field on a 2-1 pitch to draw even at 1-1.
In the fifth, the Marauders plated a run on a two-out RBI single by Justin Maffei to push the lead to 2-1.
The Miracle countered in the eighth. Tanner Vavra earned a walk off Marauders reliever Dovydas Neverauskas. Zack Granite sacrificed Vavra to second. Engelb Vielma followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Aderling Mejia drove in Vavra with a fielder’s choice and tied the game at 2-2.
After a scoreless ninth, the teams traded runs in the 10th. Bradenton got a run on a Ryan Walker error at second base and the Miracle struck on a two-out RBI single into right center by Wade.
Wade finished the night 4-for-5 with a double, run scored and RBI.
The Miracle (71-61, 33-29) wrap up the season series with the Marauders (68-62, 36-24) at 6:05 p.m. Saturday at Hammond Stadium.