Paciorek’s Bases-Loaded Walk Boosts Manatees

By  //  July 8, 2012

Ninth-Inning Rally

BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – A bases-loaded walk drawn by Joey Paciorek capped off an improbable rally in the bottom of the ninth as the Brevard County Manatees defeated the Clearwater Threshers, 2-1 on Saturday night at Space Coast Stadium.

Joey Paciorek's bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth inning helped Brevard defeat Clearwater 2-1 Saturday. (Image courtesy Brevard County Manatees)

Down 1-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth, Nick Shaw led the inning off for Brevard (10-6 second half, 39-45 overall) with a base hit to center field off the new Clearwater (8-6, 45-38) pitcher Hector Neris. Jason Rogers then singled through the hole on the left side of the infield to put two on with no outs.

Brock Kjeldgaard would then tie the game with a check-swing, line drive single to right on a 1-1 pitch. Now with first base open, the Threshers intentionally walked Mike Walker to set up a force at home. John Dishon came on as a pinch runner for Rogers at third base.

Clearwater got what they needed and more with the intentional walk as Hector Gomez grounded into a 1-2-3 double play as the game remained tied, now with two outs and runners on second and third. Cody Hawn was then intentionally walked to set up the force out at any base.

Joey Pacoriek, who had already struck out two times, stepped up to the plate. Pacoriek worked a 2-2 count and then took what looked to be strike three as Clearwater catcher Cameron Rupp popped up from behind the plate and started walking towards the dugout.

Home plate umpire Ryan Clark did not agree with Rupp’s assumption as it was a called a ball and it was now a full count. Neris’ next pitch was inside to Pacoriek for ball four as Kjeldgaard came home for the winning run on a walk-off walk. The win was just the second time this season that the Manatees have won a game after trailing for six, seven or eight innings.

Jed Bradley (5-7, 4.55) got the start on the mound for Brevard and his only hiccup was a solo homer that he allowed to Drew Hillman with one out in the second inning. The southpaw went seven strong innings and yielded three hits and three walks, while fanning three. The Manatees have now gotten five straight quality starts from their pitching staff and 11 of 17 overall to begin the second half of the season.

Seth Harvey earned the win in relief as he struck out four in two innings of work, while allowing just one hit. Offensively for the ‘Tees, Keen led the way as he went 2-for-4 and stole his 29th base of the season. Before their rally in the ninth inning, Brevard managed just four hits and struck out ten times against the Clearwater duo of starter Adam Morgan and reliever Mike Nesseth.

Brevard County and Clearwater will play game two of their three-game series on Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. The Manatees’ starting pitcher has yet to be determined, while the Threshers will send Brody Colvin (4-4, 4.25) to the mound.