The Lakeland Flying Tigers (52-57, 21-23) capped off a 3-2 win over the Bradenton Marauders (47-63, 16-23) on Jesus Pinto’s second walk-off single of the season, with both coming against Bradenton, on Friday night at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Lakeland began the scoring with one run in the second off starter Irwin Ramirez. Pinto walked, advanced to second while Zach MacDonald was caught stealing third and scored on a throwing error from Ramirez, putting the Flying Tigers ahead 1-0.
Lakeland added one more run in the fourth off reliever Dioris Martinez. Pinto led off the inning with a single, moved to second on a walk from Hunter Dobbins, advanced to third on an infield single from Javier Osorio and scored on an Enderson Delgado hit by pitch to extend the lead to 2-0.
Bradenton scored one run in the seventh off reliever Jose Guzman. Bralyn Brazoban led off the frame with a walk, moved to second on a single, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and came around to score on an error, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The Marauders tied the game in the ninth off reliever Donye Evans. Canon Reeder reached on a leadoff single, moved to second on a Chris Rembert walk and to third on a flyout. Eddie King Jr. drove him in on a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 2-2.
The Flying Tigers walked the game off with one run in the bottom of the ninth off reliever David Matoma. Angel De Los Santos reached on a single, advanced to second on an error, headed to third on an infield single from Ronald Ramirez and scored on a walk-off infield single from Pinto to propel Lakeland to a 3-2 win. It was Pinto’s second career walk-off, with both coming this season against Bradenton.
Evans (5-0) notched the win, allowing one run on one hit over 2.0 innings while walking two. Matoma (1-4) took the loss, allowing one run on three hits over 0.2 innings.
Lakeland will look for its first six-game series win since early May on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. RHP Kelvis Salcedo (0-2, 4.42) will face off against Bradenton RHP Reinold Navarro (4-2, 2.80).
