Brevard County Manatees Win 2-1 Over Hammerheads
By Brevard County Manatees // June 15, 2013
PLAY RESUMES AFTER All-Star break
BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – Yet another one-run game went the way of the Brevard County Manatees as a 2-1 victory over the Jupiter Hammerheads on Thursday night at Space Coast Stadium brought the team into the All-Star break just one-half game out of first place in the FSL North Division first half standings.
Brevard County (34-30) starting pitcher Chad Pierce (2-2, 4.47) set a new career-high with nine strikeouts in his 5.1 innings of work, even though he left the game in for the loss despite giving up only one run on two hits.
Jupiter (33-32) scored that lone run off of Pierce and the ‘Tees the fourth inning, as Austin Barnes was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and scored three batters later on a double from Alex Burg. Barnes was able to knock the ball away from catcher Cameron Garfield on a play at the plate to score.
The Manatees squeezed out just enough offense in the bottom of the sixth inning to get the job done. Brandon Macias led off the frame by reaching base on a fielding error by Jupiter shortstop Austin Nola. Chadwin Stang then drew a walk to put two on with no outs.
T.J. Mittelstaedt’s sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, with Greg Hopkins following with an RBI groundout to plate Macias and then Mitch Haniger delivered a run-scoring single to give the ‘Tees the 2-1 lead.
WILLIAMS TOSSES 2.2 SCORELESS INNINGS
The win went to Mark Williams, who tossed 2.2 scoreless innings out of the Brevard County bullpen, despite a two-base error and a wild pitch that put a runner on third base with nobody out in the eighth. Tommy Toledo picked up his tenth save with a pair of strikeouts in the ninth as he stranded two runners on base.
Jupiter starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez, who was on a Major League rehab assignment from the Miami Marlins, threw five scoreless frames and allowed four hits with a strikeout, in a no-decision.
The Florida State League will convene in Dunedin this Saturday for the 2013 FSL All-Star Game, a contest that will feature Manatees pitcher David Goforth, first baseman Nick Ramirez and catcher Cameron Garfield. Ramirez will also participate in the Home Run Derby prior to Saturday’s game. Pitcher Brooks Hall (promotion) and Seth Harvey (injury) were also selected but will not play.
BACK IN ACTION MONDAY NIGHT AT 6:35
Upon returning to action on Monday night at 6:35 p.m., Brevard County will host the Lakeland Flying Tigers for a three-game series to conclude the first half of play.
The Manatees will send southpaw Jed Bradley (4.2, 4.26) to the hill, while the Flying Tigers will counter with right-hander Wilsen Palacios (3-4, 4.10).
