Brevard Manatees Lose In Extra-Innings To Jupiter 2-1

By  //  June 19, 2015

Brennan-Brevard-Manatees-580-2
In a four-game series that was dominated by starting pitching, one swing of the bat ultimately proved to be the difference as the Jupiter Hammerheads (33-34) earned a series split with the Brevard County Manatees (29-37) in a 2-1 victory in 12 innings Thursday night at Space Coast Stadium. (BC Manatees Image)

BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – In a four-game series that was dominated by starting pitching, one swing of the bat ultimately proved to be the difference as the Jupiter Hammerheads (33-34) earned a series split with the Brevard County Manatees (29-37) in a 2-1 victory in 12 innings Thursday night at Space Coast Stadium.

The Manatees took the initial lead in the bottom of the third inning, which started with an Angel Ortega base hit back through the middle and into centerfield.

Omar Garcia then with a double that was chopped over the head of Brian Anderson at third base, Ortega ultimately was held up at third on the play. He would not have to wait long as he scored on a Chris McFarland ground out to shortstop.

Hammerheads starting pitcher Jose Adames recovered to retire Cameron Garfield on another groundout to short and after walking Clint Coulter, induced a groundout from Garrett Cooper.

Much like they did on Wednesday, Jupiter equalized in their next turn at-bat, this time in the top of the fourth.

Brandon Woodruff
Brandon Woodruff

The inning was catalyzed by an Avery Romero single, who then advanced to third when Garcia overran an Austin Dean base hit in centerfield. Manatees starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff bounced back to strike out Anderson but conceded the tying run on a Justin Bohn single to center.

The rally ended when Harold Riggins struck out.

From there on, both pitching staffs turned in phenomenal performances into the top of the 12th.

It was in that frame where the Hammerheads broke the deadlock as Harold Riggins clubbed his third home run of the season, a 418-foot shot to right centerfield, off of Mark Williams, who was pitching in his fourth inning of work.

Jupiter reliever Esmerling De La Rosa set the Manatees down in order in the bottom of the 12th to earn the win for himself and the Hammerheads.

Adames gave up just the one run on three hits in five innings of work, striking out six and walking two. He would be followed by Chris Sadberry who threw two and two-thirds shutout innings, striking out two.

Tyler Kinley followed with two and one-thirds stellar innings, striking out five batters on 25 pitches, 22 of which were strikes. De La Rosa then threw two hitless innings to finish it, striking out three in the process.

Blake Barber had a three-hit for the Hammerheads, while Austin Dean had two of his own.

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Woodruff turned in another terrific performance for the ‘Tees, going a career-best eight innings, giving up 1 unearned run on seven hits, striking out four without issuing a walk on 99 pitches.

Despite being saddled with the loss, Williams was excellent out of the bullpen, striking out five in three and two-thirds innings of work on 59 pitches.

Offensively for Brevard County, Taylor Brennan and Ortega each recorded a multi-hit game.

Garfield’s streak of consecutive games with a hit was snapped at six as he went 0-for-5.

The Florida State League now heads to its All-Star break with the Manatees sending five players to the game Saturday night at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie at 7:00 P.M.

The Manatees will be back in action on Monday as they play a doubleheader on the road against the Lakeland Flying Tigers.

First pitch for game one is scheduled for 5:00 P.M.; pitching matchups have not yet been announced.