Carson Tinney homered in his third consecutive game, and the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels defeated the Bradenton Marauders 5-3 Tuesday night at Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Florida.
The win moved Fort Myers to 65-54 overall and 28-26 in the relevant split. Bradenton fell to 51-66 overall and 20-33 in the relevant split, while Fort Myers pitching finished with 16 strikeouts, one short of the team season high.
Carson Tinney Extends Home Run Streak
Tinney hit his seventh professional home run in 17 games, sending a 111.9 mph line drive onto the left-field berm. It was his fourth home run in his last five games and the 18th three-game home run streak in Fort Myers franchise history since 2005.
The streak was the second such run for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels in 2026. The franchise record is four consecutive games with a home run, set by Andrew Cossetti in 2023.
Colby Turner added his second professional home run in the sixth inning, a 435-foot solo shot over the left-field berm. Fort Myers added two insurance runs in the eighth when Ramiro Dominguez delivered a two-run single after Isaiah Lane walked.
Merphy Hernandez Moves Up Franchise List
Merphy Hernandez stole two bases and climbed the Fort Myers franchise record book. His 43rd steal of the season passed Matt Lawton III’s 1994 total for fourth in a single season in franchise history since 1992.
Hernandez stole another base in the fifth inning, tying Cleatus Davidson’s 1998 total for third in the franchise record books. Hernandez has the most steals in the Florida State League since being added to the roster on May 21.
Fort Myers Pitching Holds Bradenton
Matt Barr made his sixth start of the season and allowed one run over four innings. He allowed four hits, walked none and struck out five before leaving with the game tied 1-1.
Nick McAuliffe struck out the side in the fifth inning and earned the win, improving to 4-2. Brad Rudis followed with 2.1 scoreless innings and five strikeouts, while Yovanny Duran recorded an outfield assist by throwing out a runner trying to stretch a single into a double.
Adam Falinski earned his fifth save after allowing two runs in the ninth inning. Bradenton made four outs on the bases during the game.
Doubleheader Set for Wednesday
The series continues Wednesday, August 26, with a doubleheader between the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels and Bradenton Marauders. Game one is scheduled for a 4:35 p.m. first pitch, with coverage beginning at 4:15 p.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.
Game two will begin no earlier than 7:05 p.m. Both games are scheduled for seven innings.
Source: Original report