Marauders fall to Clearwater in FSL first-half finale

In a microcosm of the season’s first half, the Bradenton Marauders had a nearly perfect start, stumbled and then fell short at the end in a 5-4 loss to the Clearwater Threshers in a Florida State League game at LECOM Park on Wednesday.

Bradenton starter Taylor Hearn threw five no-hit innings in the first-half finale, though he gave up four walks.

However, Clearwater’s Wilson Garcia hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning off Yunior Montero (4-2), which scored Mark Laird and Grenny Cumana and gave the Threshers a 3-1 lead. The Threshers added to their lead in the seventh when Drew Stankiewicz scored on a passed ball and Austin Bossart scored on a single.

Bradenton mounted a comeback in the eighth, scoring on Logan Ratledge’s solo home run and Jordan George’s two-run shot to draw within one.

Starter Cole Irvin (4-6) got the win while Yunior Montero (4-2) took the loss in relief. Jeff Singer pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for his 14th save of the season.

Despite starting the season 8-0, the Marauders (37-30) finished second in the South Division to Palm Beach.

The season’s second half begins Thursday.

This story was originally published June 21, 2017 at 10:38 PM with the headline "Marauders fall to Clearwater in FSL first-half finale."