BRADENTON -- The Bradenton Marauders (21-21) collected their seventh shutout in a 2-0 victory over the Palm Beach Cardinals (22-22) Saturday night at McKechnie Field.
The outcome puts both team a half game behind the Jupiter Hammerheads in a tight race for the South Division's second-half playoff berth.
Alex Dickerson hit a two-run home run, his 11th of the season, off Chris Corrigan with two outs in the first inning. Those proved to be the games only runs as the Marauders managed only one more hit in the game. Dickerson has driven in 31 runs with two outs this season.
Jameson Taillon started on the mound and pitched the first five innings, striking out four without a walk. Josh Poytress and Jason Townsend teamed up to complete the game. Townsend got the league's top hitter, Mike O'Neill, to fly out with the bases loaded to end the seventh. He then pitched the eighth and ninth for a seven-out save, his fourth of the season.
The series concludes on Sunday with a 5 p.m. start at McKechnie Field. Gates open at 4 p.m.
