Manatees Ground Flying Tigers In Shutout

By  //  April 18, 2013

Brevard Hosts Clearwater Tonight

LAKELAND, FLORIDA – The Brevard County Manatees were led by great pitching and defense in a 3-0 shutout win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Wednesday Night at Joker Marchant Stadium. 

Brevard County pitcher Jacob Barnes will get the start for the Manatees tonight against Clearwater. (Image courtesy of Brevard County Manatees)
Brevard County pitcher Jacob Barnes will get the start for the Manatees tonight against Clearwater. (Image courtesy of Brevard County Manatees)

The Manatees (8-5) scored all three of their runs in the first three innings. In the opening frame, Chadwin Stang led off the ballgame with a single to right-center field. After two quick outs, Stang was on second when Cameron Garfield laced an RBI single to center to give the ‘Tees a 1-0 lead.

Brandon Macias ripped a two-run double into the left-center field gap in the top of the third that scored both Nick Ramirez and Garfield and ultimately commence the scoring for the evening.

‘Tees starting pitcher David Goforth (1-1, 2.35) threw 5.1 shutout innings and earned the victory. He allowed just three hits and two walks on the evening. Goforth was also the beneficiary of two 4-6-3 double play balls that killed Lakeland rallies in both third and fifth innings.

Mark Williams was summoned from the bullpen with two men on and one out in the sixth inning. He struck out both Brandon Loy and Eugenio Suarez to leave both inherited runners stranded.

Williams pitched 3.2 innings and did not allow a run to close out the game and record his first save of the year. He allowed just two hits, didn’t walk a batter and struck out six.

The Flying Tigers (4-9) did not bring the tying run to the plate against Williams over the final three innings.

The Manatees took two of three from Lakeland in the series. Brevard County has won three straight series and seven out of their last nine games. The Flying Tigers meanwhile have lost seven of their last nine games.

Brevard County will continue their seven-game road trip by opening up a three-game series against the Clearwater Threshers (6-7) on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. at Bright House Field.

Jacob Barnes (1-0, 2.57) will get the call for the Manatees. He will be opposed by Colin Kleven (0-2, 18.90) for Clearwater, who gave up nine runs into 2.2 innings against the ‘Tees on Saturday night.