Tarpons, Marauders wrap series with doubleheader

BRADENTON, Fla. (Interstat) — The Tampa Tarpons and Bradenton Marauders will play a doubleheader Sunday at LECOM Park, concluding their six-game series with a day-night twin bill.

First pitch for Game 1 is set for 1 p.m., with the nightcap scheduled for 6 p.m. The weather forecast calls for rain and a game-time temperature of 88 degrees.

Tampa (34-28) has dominated the series, winning four of the first five games. The Tarpons edged Bradenton 2-1 on Saturday, following an 8-2 victory Friday and a 7-1 win in seven innings Thursday. Bradenton’s lone win came Wednesday, a 3-1 decision.

Right-hander Brennan Stuprich (2-0) is scheduled to start the opener for Tampa. Right-hander Jaiker Garcia (0-3) will start the second game. Bradenton’s probable pitchers were not announced.

Players to watch

Tampa left-hander Henry Lalane has been dominant in his past two outings. He earned the win Friday against Bradenton, allowing two hits and no earned runs over six innings with nine strikeouts. In his previous start, a win June 5 against Palm Beach, he allowed one earned run in 5 1/3 innings with six strikeouts.

Bradenton right-hander Dariel Francia will look to bounce back. He allowed no hits and no earned runs over two innings with three strikeouts in Friday’s loss to Tampa. However, in his previous relief appearance June 7 at Jupiter, he allowed four earned runs in 2/3 of an inning.

Recent history

The Tarpons have outscored the Marauders 25-10 in the past four meetings. Tampa’s lineup has consistently produced, scoring at least seven runs in three of those games. Bradenton, which has lost four of five, is 28-33 overall.

Projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-3 Tampa victory for the first game.

Up next

Tampa returns home to host Fort Myers for a six-game series beginning Tuesday. Bradenton stays home to face Clearwater in a six-game set starting Tuesday.