Fryer sent down; Baker a hit in Keys' debut

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced today that catcher and former Marauder Eric Fryer has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to make room for Ryan Doumit, who was reinstated from the disabled list.

Fryer was the first Marauder to make the Pirates roster and batted .269 in 10 games with Pittsburgh.

Speaking of former Marauders, first baseman Aaron Baker made a splash Tuesday during his first game as a Frederick Key. Baker went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs in leading the Keys to a 7-4 win over Lynchburg, helping Frederick (25-12) maintain its four-game lead in the Carolina League's Northern Division.

The Keys are a Single-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Baker was dealt to Baltimore last Saturday in exchange for first baseman Derrek Lee.

As for the current crop of Marauders, they host the Fort Myers Miracle 7 p.m. tonight at McKechnie Field.

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.

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).