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BRADENTON, Fla. – The Mighty Mussels fell by a 5-3 score in their series finale against the Bradenton Marauders Thursday night at LECOM Park.
The Marauders (46-52, 16-16) took the series two games to one, with all three contests being decided by two runs or less.
In the top of top of the third of a scoreless game, the Mussels' Caleb McNeely led off with a single to center. Blaze O'Saben followed with a single to left-center, moving McNeely to third. Damuery Pena then recorded an RBI on a groundout to short, making it 1-0 Mussels (43-54, 16-17).
Bradenton manufactured its first run in the bottom of the third. Ian Farrow led off with a single and advanced to second on a walk to Braylon Bishop. Wyatt Sanford then advanced both men with a sacrifice bunt and Yodandy De Los Santos followed with a sacrifice fly to tie the game 1-1.
Eduardo Florentino was the next batter. He worked the count full and then turned on the payoff pitch from Jason Doktorczyk (3-5) for an RBI double, making it 2-1. A pair of Mussels' errors extended the frame and allowed the Marauders to tack on another two runs, extending their lead 4-1.
Doktorczyk exited after four innings of work. He allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits while striking out three.
Marauders starter Carlos Castillo (3-4) retired nine men in a row from the third through the fifth inning.
In the sixth, Yasser Mercedes delivered a base hit to left to extend his hitting streak to seven games. The single drove in Damuery Pena, who had reached on an error to open the frame. Mercedes took second on the throw in and later stole third for his 29th steal in 29 attempts. Enrique Jimenez followed with an opposite field single for his first Low-A hit, plating Mercedes and making it 4-3.
Castillo went 5.1 innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on a season high 81 pitches.
Brent Francisco made his Mussels debut and threw two scoreless innings of relief. The 6-foot-7 righty picked up two strikeouts while allowing a single and a walk.
Tyler Stasiowski threw two innings of relief and allowed one run on three hits.
The Mussels return home today for the start of a three-game series against the Dunedin Blue Jays. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.