Espinal, Salas power Lakeland to 4-1 win over Bradenton

Anibal Salas and Edian Espinal’s home runs sparked the Lakeland Flying Tigers (23-18) to a 4-1 win over the Bradenton Marauders (21-20) on Wednesday night at Joker Marchant Stadium.

For the second consecutive game to start the series, Bradenton struck first in the opening frame. Edgleen Perez smashed a solo shot to left field off starting pitcher Cash Kuiper, giving the Marauders a 1-0 lead.

Salas responded with a two-run blast off starter Jaiker Garcia in the third. Carson Rucker reached on a leadoff single and scored on Salas’ two-run shot, putting the Flying Tigers ahead 2-1.

Espinal followed with a solo homer off Garcia in the fourth, pushing Lakeland’s lead to 3-1.

The Flying Tigers tacked on one more run in the sixth off Dariel Francia. Espinal drew a leadoff walk, moved to third on an error and scored on a wild pitch, capping the scoring with the home side ahead 4-1.

In the seventh inning, Jesus Pinto nailed a runner at home on a throw from left field to preserve Lakeland’s 4-1 lead, and neither team scored the rest of the contest.

Ali Tanner (3-3) nabbed the win, throwing 3.0 shutout innings while allowing two hits, striking out four and walking one. Garcia (0-1) took the loss, tossing 4.0 innings and allowing three runs on five hits while striking out two. Eliseo Mota (2) earned the three-out save, pitching a perfect ninth inning.

Lakeland looks for a 3-0 series lead in its six-game set with Bradenton. Game three begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Flying Tigers RHP Malachi Witherspoon (2-0, 3.51) faces off against RHP Kyle Robinson (0-0, --).