Brevard Manatees Hold Off Hammerheads In 5-4 Victory

By  //  August 3, 2015

Brevard County Earns Series Split in Jupiter

Wei-Chung Wang, seen here from a game earlier this season, earned his eighth victory of the season on Sunday. (Brevard Manatees image)
Wei-Chung Wang, seen here from a game earlier this season, earned his eighth victory of the season on Sunday. (Brevard Manatees image)

JUPITER, FLORIDA — The Brevard County Manatees (16-19, 45-59 overall) scored plenty early and held off a late charge by the Jupiter Hammerheads (14-24, 49-59 overall) in a 5-4 victory on Sunday afternoon at Roger Dean Stadium.

The Manatees broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third inning. Angel Ortega led off the frame with a single to center field. After an Omar Garcia fielder’s choice, Chris McFarland reached on a single to left.

With Clint Coulter batting, Garcia was caught stealing third. McFarland advanced to second on the play.

Clint Coulter
Clint Coulter

Clint Coulter then singled home McFarland and advanced to second on the throw to the plate. The next batter, Taylor Brennan, drilled a double to left and gave the Manatees a 2-0 lead.

Brevard County added a trio of runs in the fourth. With one out, Rafael Neda walked. After a wild pitch advanced Neda to second, Steven Halcomb singled to center.

Neda scored from second and Halcomb moved up the second on the throw home. After Victor Araujo replaced starter Luis Castillo on the hill, Ortega dropped down a bunt single.

The ball was fielded by third baseman Brian Anderson, but his throw was off target.

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Halcomb scored and Ortega moved up to second. Araujo then hit Garcia with a pitch to put runners on first and second.

Two batters later, Coulter singled up the middle and scored Ortega. Brevard County led, 5-0.

Castillo (1-1, 4.50 ERA) was hit with the loss. He gave up four runs in 3.1 innings.

Trailing 4-1, the Hammerheads closed the deficit to just a single run in the eighth.

Preston Gainey relieved Wei-Chung Wang with the bases loaded and one out. Avery Romero delivered with an RBI single to center.

After a bases loaded walk to Anderson, Harold Riggins lifted a sac fly to right field. With the Manatees leading by one, Gainey induced a pop out off of the bat of Blake Barber to end the threat.

Gainey retired the side in order in the ninth to lock down his fifth save of the year.

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Wang (8-3, 3.80 ERA) earned the win after he pitched into the eighth.

Wei Chung Wang
Wei Chung Wang

He surrendered four runs – just one earned – on four hits in 7.1 innings. Wang walked three and fanned five. Wang is now 4-1 with a 0.98 ERA (5 ER/46.0 IP) in his last eight starts.

Ortega finished with three hits and a run scored. Coulter and Brennan each recorded two hits.

The Manatees will enjoy a league-wide off day today. Brevard County will start a three-game series with the Tampa Yankees at Space Coast Stadium on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.