Six Unanswered Runs Doom Manatees

By  //  April 16, 2013

Same Teams Meet Again Tuesday In Viera

BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – A 3-0 lead after the first inning wasn’t enough for the Brevard County Manatees as they allowed six unanswered runs and were unable to muster any offense against the bullpen of the Lakeland Flying Tigers, in a 6-3 loss on Monday night at Space Coast Stadium in Viera.

Brevard County's Cody Hawn reached on a fielder's choicer and scored a run in the Manatees' 6-3 loss Monday to Lakeland. (Image courtesy of Brevard County Manatees)
Brevard County’s Cody Hawn reached on a fielder’s choicer and scored a run in the Manatees’ 6-3 loss Monday to Lakeland. (Image courtesy of Brevard County Manatees)

Chadwin Stang led off the bottom of the first with a single and Greg Hopkins followed with one of his own to give Brevard County (6-5) two early baserunners. After a Nick Ramirez strikeout, both of them would score on a Cameron Garfield single and a Cody Hawn grounder that turned into a fielder’s choice, respectively. Hawn also scored after Yadiel Rivera doubled and then back-to-back walks loaded the bases and eventually forced in a run.

Lakeland (4-7) starting pitcher Tommy Collier recorded the first out in the second inning, but quickly left the game with an apparent lower body injury. He avoided taking the loss though as the Flying Tigers sent out a trio of relievers to hold the Manatees scoreless through 7 and 2/3 innings of work.

Brevard County was held hitless from Hopkins’ second-inning single off of Alex Burgos, who replaced Collier, until a swinging bunt by Stang in the ninth. The ‘Tees only saw three base runners reach base – all via walks – from the third inning to the eighth inning.

Manatees starting pitcher Drew Gagnon (0-1, 10.32) did not factor in the decision after yielding three runs in four innings. He scattered seven hits and issued two walks, while striking out five.

Kevin Shackelford took the loss as he gave up the eventual game-winning run in the fifth inning before two more scoreless frames.

In the eighth inning, Jason King added insurance to the Flying Tigers lead with a two-run home run to right off of Seth Harvey.

Both teams will again take the field again at 6:35 p.m. on Tuesday as Brevard County closes out a six-game homestand at 6:35 p.m. Another pitching duel is expected between Brevard’s Brooks Hall (1-1, 1.64 ERA) and Drew VerHagen (0-2, 2.61 ERA) as they face-off in a rematch from last Thursday’s 2-0 Manatees win.