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Late inning woes sink Low-A Bradenton

Other than High-A Greensboro, the Pirate farm club off to the best start this season is the Low-A Bradenton Marauders. Like Greensboro, however, things did not go well for Bradenton on Saturday in a 6-4 loss against the Daytona Tortugas to fall to 9-5 on the season.

Luis Peralta went first for the Marauders on the mound on Saturday, walking a batter and striking out five in 2 hitless, scoreless innings pitched. Derek Diamond, who was off to a strong start this season, followed Peralta. Diamond pitched a scoreless 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th inning, then ran into trouble in the 7th.

To start the 7th inning Diamond allowed a double and a home run. Diamond then recorded a strikeout, but it was one that saw the batter reach first base on a wild pitch. Diamond then allowed back-to-back singles before being lifted. Ryan Harbin relieved Diamond and recorded a pair of strikeouts before allowing a run-scoring single that included an error. Harbin then got the final out of the inning.

Diamond allowed 5 runs, 4 earned, on eight hits, no walks, a home run, and six strikeouts in 4 innings pitched. Harbin pitched 2 innings allowing a hit, issuing a walk, and striking out three. Yoldin De La Paz allowed a run on two hits, a walk, and a strikeout in the 9th inning.

Right fielder Tres Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with two walks and a run scored. Shortstop Javier Rivas was 2-for-5 with his 1st home run of the season and 4 RBI. Jesus Castillo was 1-for-3 with two walks, and Alexander Mojica was 1-for-3 with two walks.