Saturday, July 30, 2011

Aaron Baker reportedly traded to Orioles



Marauders first baseman Aaron Baker appears to be on the move.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded Baker, first baseman for high Single-A Bradenton, to the Balitmore Orioles in exchange for first baseman Derrek Lee, according to the Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly.

Baker, who turns 24 in September, was the Pirates' 11th-round pick in 2009. He was hitting .282 with 15 home runs and 73 RBIs in 103 games with the Marauders, and ranks third in the Florida State League in RBIs and is tied for fourth in home runs.

Baker was named the MVP of the Florida State League All-Star Game.

Though the Orioles do not have a FSL team, Baker probably hasn't played his last game at McKechnie Field - the Orioles spend their springs in nearby Sarasota, and play the Pirates frequently during the Grapefruit League season.

Lee, 35, is hitting .248 with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs for the Pirates. He has 324 career home runs and won a World Series ring with Florida Marlins in 2003.

Friday, July 29, 2011

A day after beating Marauders, two Threshers dealt to Houston

Thursday, Jarred Cosart threw seven shutout innings at The Bradenton Marauders.
Friday, he was part of a package that helped bring Houston's Hunter Pence to the Philadelphia Phillies, the parent club of the high Single-A Clearwater Threshers.
The Threshers beat Bradenton 3-1 Thursday, when Cosart allowed no runs on six hits in seven innings.
He beat the Marauders twice this season, not allowing a run in 14 innings against them.
Considered one of the Phillies' best prospects, Cosart, 21, is 9-8 with a 3.82 ERA.
Joining him will be Threshers' first baseman Jonathan Singleton. Just 19, Singleton is batting .282 with nine home runs and 47 RBIs for Clearwater - though his future with Philadelphia was murky considering Ryan Howard, the team's All-Star first baseman, is just 31.
The Astros will also receive another player to be named later from Clearwater, along with pitcher Josh Zeid, according to ESPN.com. Zeid is 2-3 with a 5.65 with the Phillies' Double-A team in Reading, Pa.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Wrapping it up: Threshers 3, Marauders 1

(minorleaguebaseball.com)

THE STORY: Marauders starting pitcher Brandon Cumpton retired the first 12 hitters he faced, but was touched up for two runs on four hits in the fifth and the host Clearwater Threshers beat the Marauders 3-1. Clearwater starter Jarred Cosart (pictured above) blanked the Marauders for seven innings, despite walking three and allowing six hits.

Cosart (9-8) didn't allow a run to the Marauders in 14 innings this season.

Aaron Baker, Kelson Brown and Ramon Cabrera had two hits each for Bradenton, which lost three of four to the Threshers.

Cumpton (1-1) struck out eight and walked one in six innings. He didn't allow a hit before or after the fifth inning.


THE STAR OF THE GAME: Cosart. The 21-year-old is one of the Philadelphia Phillies' top prospects, and according to ESPN.com, was nearly packaged in a deal earlier this week for Houston's Hunter Pence. Cosart wasn't dominant Thursday, but he was good when it counted, especially in the sixth, when he struck out Elevys Gonzalez with two outs and the bases loaded.


THE RECORD: The Marauders, who begin a four-game series Friday night in Brevard County, are 19-16 in the second half and 49-56 overall.

Threshers 2, Marauders 0, bottom 6



The Clearwater Threshers lead the Marauders 2-0 after five innings here at gorgeous Bright House Field.

Marauders starter Brandon Cumpton retired the first 12 batters he faced before Darin Ruf singled leading off the fifth. That ignited a rally that included run-scoring singles from Cesar Hernandez and Troy Hanzawa, as the Threshers touched Cumpton up for four hits in the inning.

Cumpton has struck out seven and walked none.

His counterpart, Jarred Cosart, one of the Philadelphia Phillies' top prospects, pitched out of a jam in the sixth when he struck out Elevys Gonzalez with two outs and the bases loaded.

Robbie Grossman looking to join the 100-100 club

(photo by Grant Jefferies)Marauders outfielder Robbie Grossman is running and walking his way toward a rare feat.

The 21-year-old enters tonight's game in Clearwater with 95 runs scored and 90 walks, and with 35 games left on the schedule, he is well on track to score 100 runs and draw 100 walks in the same season.

The last minor-leaguer to do that was Nick Swisher, who walked 103 times and scored 109 runs for the 2004 Sacramento River Cats, a Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics.

Grossman is batting .292 with a .429 on-base percentage. He leads all of minor-league baseball in walks and runs scored.

Here comes the rain...

The skies are dark and the rain is falling here in Clearwater, where the grounds crew has just finished putting tarp on the infield here at Bright House Field.
I'm willing to wager the game won't begin at 6:30 p.m. as scheduled. But the radar doesn't look too bad, so maybe we will get this one in.
We'll let you know when play begins.

Live from Bright House Field...

This is John Lembo, and I am road-tripping with the Bradenton Marauders, who tonight face the Clearwater Threshers at beautiful Bright House Field.
(Well, I live in northeast St. Petersburg, so Bradenton is more of a road trip for me than Clearwater. But anyway...)
The Marauders are 19-15, and are tied for first with the St. Lucie Mets in the Florida State League's South Division. The Threshers are 16-17, and in third place in the North Division, three games back of the Tampa Yankees.
The lineups:

MARAUDERS
Robbie Grossman, rf
Adalberto Santos, lf
Ramon Cabrera, c
Aaron Baker, 1b
Evan Chambers, cf
Elevys Gonzalez, 3b
Carlos Paulino, dh
Kelson Brown, 2b
Benjamin Gonzalez, ss
Brandon Cumpton, p

THRESHERS
Jiwan James, cf
Jeremy Barnes, 3b
Jonathan Singleton, 1b
Darin Ruf, dh
Sebastian Valle, c
Brandon Tripp, lf
Cesar Hernandez, 2b
Troy Hanzawa, ss
Brian Gump, rf
Jarred Cosart, p

Monday, July 25, 2011

Series preview: Marauders at Clearwater Threshers

The Bradenton Marauders continue their run against FSL North Division teams tonight when they begin a four-game series on the road against the Clearwater Threshers.
Here is a quick look at the series:

BRADENTON MARAUDERS, SOUTH DIVISION
RECORD:
18-13 second half, tied for first place, 0 GB; 48-53 overall.
LAST 10: 6-4
PLAYERS TO WATCH: 1B Aaron Baker (70 RBIs are third-best in the league; 101 hits in 97 games); OF Robbie Grossman (.290, 103 hits, 20 stolen bases, league-leading 91 runs scored); OF-DH Adalberto Santos (.312, 103 total bases in 71 games).

CLEARWATER THRESHERS, NORTH DIVISION
RECORD: 14-16 second half, tied for third place, 2 GB; 53-46 overall.
LAST 10: 5-5
PLAYERS TO WATCH: 1B Darin Ruf (team-best 10 HRs and 60 RBI); OF Jiwan James (20 stolen bases, 108 hits, 63 runs scored); SP Julio Rodriguez (12-6, 3.17 ERA, .189 opponents' batting average).

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Local Baseball Star Returns

The Bradenton area has always been a hot spot for great baseball and great baseball players. The same trend typically occurs as players practice and refine their talents here, but then take them elsewhere. However, Thursday night JR Murphy of the Tampa Yankees took his talents and brought them back to his home town of Bradenton. Thursday marks the beginning of a four-game series that the Bradenton Marauders open against the minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees. Murphy was a standout high school player and caught the eye of the Yankees. He impressed them so much that they used their 2nd round pick in 2009 to try and entice Murphy to become a professional baseball player instead of attending the University of Miami. Murphy took the chance to put on the pinstripes and began his professional career in rookie ball. It took him only nine games to advance to single A; where he recieved all-star honors with the Charleston RiverDogs. The next step in Murphy's journey goes through Tampa where he recently was called up to the Tampa Yankees. As Murphy climbs the minor league ladder en route to the majors he will make a few stops to oppose the Marauders. Thursday night the Marauder faithful made it seen that although Murphy had been gone the past two years, his family, friends and supporters were still right behind him. Murphy recieved a big ovation when his name was announced in the Yankee starting lineup. As for the game Murphy's highlights were throwing out a runner trying to advance and later nearly picking off a runner at first after a pitch. Murphy exited the game after he fouled a ball off of his foot. Even though he was in too much pain to play, he still took the time to be with his family and friends after the game. He stayed until the fans were told to leave by security. Not only should Bradenton be proud of the player it has produced here, but also the human being. Murphy will be in town with the Tampa Yankees for the weekend so don't miss the chance to come out to McKechnie and see a rising star from Bradenton in action.

By Eric Williams

Final Three Innings and Game Summary: Tampa Yankees vs. Bradenton Marauders

Brett Marshall completed five scoreless innings to keep the Yankee lead at four going into the bottom of the seventh. The Yankees now call on Dan Burawa to mimic Marshall's performance and perserve the lead. The Marauders looked like they were going to score a run in the bottom of the seventh as Carlos Paulino hit a soft line drive that looked like it would fall over the second baseman. However the Yankees second baseman, Ronnier Mustelier made a spectacular catch to keep the lead at four and quell the danger in the inning. Brian Leach has been doing a valient job in relief as he has pitched three scoreless innings for the Marauders and has kept the game from getting out of hand. The Marauders went down silently in their final innings to lose by a final score of 5-1.

Despite good relief pitching from the Marauders, the Yankee staff showed their consistency by only allowing a run. Their offense was supplied by two two-run home runs. One was by Neil Medchill and the other was by Luke Murton. That would be all the run support the Yankees needed as they won tonight's contest 5-1. Tonight's players of the game are Brett Marshall and Dan Burawa from the Yankee bullpen. They combined for eight shutout innings and kept the potent Marauder lineup off balance all night.

The Marauders (16-12) take on the Yankees (15-12) in game two of a four game series tomorrow night 7:00pm.

In-Game Update: Tampa Yankees vs. Bradenton Marauders

The Yankees struck again by use of the long ball in the top of the fourth. Neil Medchill recorded his second hit of the night as he hit a towering home run over the fence in left center. The Yankees reliever, Brett Marshall really has settled in as he has thrown three scoreless innings so far. He also has only yielded a single hit. The Yankees bats continued to stroke as back to back doubles by Abe Almonte and Eric Chavez increased the lead by one. There was no scoring in the sixth and the Yankees hold a 5-1 lead.

In-Game Update: Tampa Yankees vs. Bradenton Marauders

The Marauders scratched across the first run against a Rafael Soriano: a 2010 all-star. Adalberto Santos got things rolling when he pulled a double down the left field line. After Santos stole third base, Ryan Doumit scorched a ball off the mound that got through the middle. However the lead was not long lived. In the top half of the second the Yankees rallied from bases empty two outs to score two runs. Designated hitter Luke Murton smoked a ball over the left field fence after Neil Medchill doubled. Also in the inning Carlos Paulino has replaced Ramon Cabrera at the Catcher position after Cabrera appeared to be hit in the throat by a foul tip. Brett Marshall enters the game to pitch for the Yankees in the bottom of the second as Soriano is replaced. JR Murphy got in the game as he threw out a runner attempting to steal second base in the bottom of the third. As we go to the top of the fourth, Yankees lead 2-1.

Marauders Look to Continue Strong Start to Second Half of the Season

Its a beautiful night for baseball here at McKechnie Field. Big crowds are expected all weekend as the Tampa Yankees (14-12) come to town to open up a 4-game series. The fans will be treated to plenty of major league talent. Tonight's designated hitter for the Marauders (16-11) is Ryan Doumit who is on a rehab assignment. This year he is hitting .269 through 34 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Eric Chavez controls the 2 hole for the Tampa Yankees. He has won numerous gold gloves for the Oakland Athletics and hit 34 home runs while driving in 109 runs in his 2002 campaign. Although he has not put up numbers like that in a while, he is still a dangerous hitter. The starting pitcher for the Tampa Yankees is Rafael Soriano who was signed this offseason in a 3 year deal worth over 30 million dollars. Soriano recorded 45 saves for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010. Soriano's battery partner is JR Murphy who grew up in Bradenton and played for the Pendleton School at the IMG academies. Murphy is a 2nd round pick of the Yankees in 2009. He recently was promoted from Charleston to join the Yankees. Now that you know the stars of the night lets take a look at the rest of the lineups.

For the Tampa Yankees:

1-Abe Almonte-CF

2-Eric Chavez-3B

3-Ronnier Mustelier-2B

4-Kyle Roller-1B

5-Rob Segedin-RF

6-JR Murphy-C

7-Neil Medchill-LF

8-Luke Murton-DH

9-Kelvin Castro-2B

SP-Rafael Soriano-RHP


For the Marauders:

1-Robbie Grossman-RF

2-Adalberto Santos-2B

3-Ryan Doumit-DH

4-Aaron Baker-1B

5-Elevys Gonzalez-3B

6-Evan Chambers-CF

7-Ramon Cabrera-C

8-David Rubenstein-LF

9-Bengie Gonzalez-SS

SP-Brett Sinkbeil-RHP

Temperature: 89 degrees
First Pitch: 7:03 pm

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Pirates Tabata added to Marauders' roster

(bradentonmarauders.com)

Another Pittsburgh Pirate is on rehab with the Marauders.

Outfielder Jose Tabata was added to the roster today as he works his way back from a quad injury. The Marauders begin a four-game series in Dunedin tonight.

Pirates such as Chris Snyder, Joe Beimel and Pedro Alvarez have also logged time with the high Single-A Marauders during rehab stints this summer.

Tabata was acquired from the New York Yankees during the summer of '08.

He is batting .265 in 71 games this year with the Pirates, with 15 RBIs and 14 stolen bases.

Series preview: Marauders at Dunedin Blue Jays

The Bradenton Marauders begin a four-game series tonight in Dunedin against the Blue Jays.
Here is a quick look at the series:

BRADENTON MARAUDERS, SOUTH DIVISION
RECORD: 10-9 second half, fourth place, 1 GB; 40-49 overall.
LAST 10: 3-7.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: 1B Aaron Baker (team-high 65 RBIs and 92 hits)...2B Jarek Cunningham (team-high 15 home runs and 158 total bases)...OF-DH Adalberto Santos (.286 batting average in 60 games).

DUNEDIN BLUE JAYS, NORTH DIVISION
RECORD: 10-8 second half, tied for first place, 0 GB: 49-39 overall.
LAST 10: 6-4.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: OF Brad Glenn (17 home runs, 56 RBIs, .507 slugging)...DH Sean Ochinko (47 RBIs, .730 on-base plus slugging)...closer Wes Etheridge (minor-league leading 30 saves, 1.42 ERA, .193 opponents' batting average).

Friday, July 8, 2011

Rained out



Tonight's game has been rained out, and a doubleheader has been scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday.

Gates open at 4 p.m.

Staring lineups: Lakeland at Bradenton

This is John Lembo coming to you live from a rainy McKechnie Field, where the Marauders are set to host the Lakeland Flying Tigers at 7 p.m.
The tarp is on the field, but the game, as of now, is a go. So let's check out the lineups:

FLYING TIGERS
Brent Wyatt, lf
William Bergolla, ss
Tony Plagman, 1b
Jordan Lennerton, dh
Wade Gaynor, 3b
Avasail Garcia, rf
Corey Jones, 2b
Daniel Fields, cf
Julio Rodriguez, c
Jared Wesson, p

MARAUDERS
Robbie Grossman, rf
Jarek Cunningham, 2b
Elevys Gonzalez, 3b
Aaron Baker, 1b
Adalberto Santos, dh
Evan Chambers, cf
Carlos Paulino, c
David Rubinstein, lf
Bengie Gonzalez, ss
Brett Lorin, p

Series preview: Flying Tigers at Marauders



Welcome a to a new feature here at Marauders' Memos, where we look at the Marauders and their opponent in the upcoming series.

Providing the weather holds up, the first-place Marauders host the Lakeland Flying Tigers 7 p.m. tonight for the first of a four-game series at McKechnie Field.


LAKELAND FLYING TIGERS, NORTH DIVISION

RECORD: 5-7, second half, fifth place, 2 GB; 41-41 overall.

LAST 10: 4-6.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: OF Brent Wyatt (.295 average, 102 total bases, .422 on-base percentage)....DH Tony Plagman (11 HR, 61 RBIs, .430 slugging, team-high 82 hits)....closer Kenny Faulk (19 saves, 2.16 ERA in 32 games).


BRADENTON MARAUDERS, SOUTH DIVISION

RECORD: 9-6 second, tied for first place, 0 GB; 39-46 overall.

LAST 10: 5-5.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: OF Robbie Grossman (77 runs, 84 hits, 18 steals, .421 OBP)....2B Jarek Cunningham (15 HR, 49 RBIs, .867 on-base plus slugging)....1B Aaron Baker (team-high in hits with 88 hits and RBIs with 60, .288 average, 10 home runs).

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Jarek Cunningham named FSL Player of the Week

(minorleaguebaseball.com)

Marauders second baseman Jarek Cunningham has been named the Florida State League's Player of the Week for June 27-June 3.

Cunningham batted .333 (8 for 24) during the stretch with three home runs, 10 RBIs, five runs and three doubles. He also boasted a .429 on-base percentage and slugged .833.

Cunningham, 21, enters tonight's game at Palm Beach batting .266 with 15 home runs (tops on the team), 48 RBIs and a team-best 21 doubles.

Friday, July 1, 2011

July 1st 2011, Game Summary for Palm Beach Cardinals vs. Bradenton Marauders

The Marauders survived a late game scare by the Palm Beach Cardinals to take the rubber match of the series 3-2. The win gives Bradenton sole possesion of first place in the second half standings (7-2). Pedro Alvarez hit a two run home run in his rehab stint with the Marauders and Jerek Cunningham provided the third RBI in the lineup. Cunningham is tonight's player of the game. At the plate he went 3 for 4 and aided in setting the table for Pedro Alvarez. Brandon Cumpton picks up the win behind six strong innings. Despite his strong performance, Kevin Siegrist is tagged with the loss. Duke Welker came in for the Marauders and closed the door, pitching the eighth and ninth. He did not allow a runner to reach second base. The Marauders are next in action Saturday night as they host St. Lucie at 7 pm.

Tonight's Blog has been Provided by Eric Williams

July 1st 2011, In-Game Update for Palm Beach Cardinals vs. Bradenton Marauders

Kevin Siegrist finished a solid outing as the Cardinals took him out before the bottom of the seventh. He did not allow a run and was not in any real trouble besides when the Marauders tagged him for three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Brandon Cumpton seemed to be cruising through the game until Edgar Lara hit a soft single that dropped into right field. Cumpton still did not seem to be in any trouble but Domnit Bolivar stepped up and belted a ball over the leftfield fence. Out of nowhere Brandon Cumpton was replaced by Duke Welker and the Marauder lead was no longer comfortable at 3-2. Going into the bottom of the eighth the Marauders looked to create some room to breathe before the ninth. Cumpton's final line was six innings pitched, one walk, six strikeouts and two earned runs.

July 1st 2011, In-Game Update for Palm Beach Cardinals vs. Bradenton Marauders

The Marauders finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Jairo Marquez led off the inning with a double that sizzled over Adam Melker's head in centerfield. Bengie Gonzalez got Marquez to third with a sacrifice bunt. Jarek Cunningham used timely hitting to score Marquez with two outs. However the real damage in the inning came from Pedro Alvarez. Alvarez showed his power as he hit an opposite field home run that cleared the fence about 20 feet inside the left field foul pole. The Marauders took a 3-0 lead that looks very commanding behind the pitching of Brandon Cumpton. Cumpton has not walked anyone and has allowed only 4 hits through six innings. After six complete innings, the Marauders lead 3-0.

July 1st 2011, In-Game Update for Palm Beach Cardinals vs. Bradenton Marauders

Joe Beimel was perfect in his only inning of work. To start the game he struck out the first two batters that Palm Beach sent up and retired the side in order. In the Marauder half of the inning, Pedro Alvarez worked a walk but no damage was done. Brandon Cumpton was sent out to take over after Beimel was pulled to begin the second. Cumpton yielded one hit but escaped unharmed to keep the game scoreless. Pitching has dominated the game thus far as there have been no extra base hits. Between the two teams there have only been five hits. Brandon Cumpton and Kevin Siegrist look to continue keeping the hitters off balance as they move through the lineup for a second time.

July 1st 2011, Palm Beach Cardinals vs. Bradenton Marauders

Today's game features some experienced major league talent. Starting pitcher for the Marauders is southpaw Joe Beimel. Although Beimel is starting tonight for the Marauders, he has served largely as a reliever at the major league level. Over his 11 year career he has accumulated a 4.19 ERA. On the offensive side, Pedro Alvarez, the second overall pick of the Pirates in the 2008 draft will be batting third. Alvarez already has MLB experience as he hit 16 homeruns in his rookie campaign in 2010.


Here's todays starting lineups:

Palm Beach Cardinals:

1-Greg Garcia-2B

2-Adam Melker-CF

3-Alan Ahmady-LF

4-Xavier Scruggs-1B

5-Rainel Rosario-RF

6-Niko Vasquez-3B

7-Edgar Lara-DH

8-Domnit Bolivar-SS

9-Luis de la Cruz-C

SP-Kevin Siegrist-LHP


For the Marauders:

1-Robbie Grossman-RF

2-Jarek Cunningham-2B

3-Pedro Alvarez-3B

4-Aaron Baker-1B

5-Adalberto Santos-DH

6-Evan Chambers-CF

7-David Rubenstein-LF

8-Jairo Marquez-C

9-Bengie Gonzalez-SS

SP-Joe Biemel-LHP

Blog Updates Today are Provided by Eric Williams