Marauders Drop 2011 Opener At Charlotte

The Bradenton Marauders dropped a heartbreaker in their season opener Friday.

The Marauders, high Single-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning before suffering a 3-2, walk-off loss to the host Charlotte Stone Crabs.

Reliever Duke Welker walked the bases loaded, then gave up a game-tying single to right field by Charlotte DH Mayo Acosta. The winning run came around to score when the ball got past right fielder Robbie Grossman.

Starting pitcher Kyle McPherson wound up with a no-decision after throwing 5 2/3 innings of one-run baseball.

Catcher Chris Snyder, on a major league rehab assignment, went 2-3 with an RBI double in his first game action of 2011. The catcher is working his way back from a stiff lower back that plagued him during spring training.

The Marauders return to action 6:30 p.m. Friday night at McKechnie Field against Charlotte in their . The Pirates' Joe Beimel will start for Bradenton on his way back to the majors after injuries cut short his spring.  Righty Alex Colome will oppose him for the Stone Crabs.

Radio coverage begins at 6:15 p.m. on 1280-AM WTMY.