Manatees Fall To Tampa, 2-1

By  //  April 22, 2014

'Tees go 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Despite 11 hits – with five of them being doubles – the Brevard County Manatees could only push one run across in a tough, 2-1 loss to the Tampa Yankees on Monday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Damien Magnifico
Damien Magnifico

The Yankees (10-7) scored their only two runs right out of the gate against Manatees (10-7) starter Damien Magnifico (1-1, 3.43).

With two out and one on in the first inning, Dante Bichette, Jr. lined a single to center. Peter O’Brien then drew a walk after a 12-pitch battle, which featured six foul balls, bringing Angelo Gumbs to the plate.

Cameron Garfield
Cameron Garfield

On a 1-2 pitch, Gumbs grounded a single through the middle that scored Cito Culver and Bichette, Jr., to give the Yankees the only runs they would need. That would be the only real trouble for Magnifico on the night.

The right-hander worked through his 38-pitch first inning to shutout Tampa in his final four frames. Magnifico allowed just three hits the rest of the way and tied a season-high with three strikeouts.

Michael Reed
Michael Reed

Brevard County (10-7) put together multiple rallies, but could not come through with runners on base.

The best chance for the Manatees came in the top of the first as back-to-back singles by catcher Cameron Garfield and left fielder Victor Roache, followed by a walk to right fielder Michael Reed, loaded the bases.

Garrett Cooper
Garrett Cooper

First baseman Garrett Cooper would ground out to second to end the frame as Yankees starter Eric Wooten worked his way out of trouble.

The three runners left on base would be the first of nine runners stranded by the Manatees.

Brevard County’s only run against the left-hander would come in the fifth inning.

After a double and a stolen base by shortstop Orlando Arcia, Roache would ground a ball off the glove of the Yankee starter for an infield single to make the score 2-1.

Arcia Orlando
Arcia Orlando

That would be the lone run surrendered by Wooten (2-0, 2.11) as he was battled through six innings of work. The Colorado native scattered eight hits, while walking one and striking out three.

The Manatees would make one last charge against left-handed reliever James Pazos in the ninth. After a lead off, ground-rule double by Nathan Orf and an infield single by Yadiel Rivera, Brevard had runners at the corners and nobody out. However, Pazos proceeded to strike out Michael Garza. Rivera was then caught stealing second base after a Tyrone Taylor strike out to end the game.

The Manatees will battle the Yankees again on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. in the second game of the three-game series. Florida State League Pitcher of the Week Jed Bradley (2-1, 4.70) will take the mound for the Manatees against the Yankees’ Rafael De Paula (1-1, 2.51).