Clearwater Threshers Blank Brevard Manatees In Shortened Game 3-0
By Brevard County Manatees // July 7, 2015
BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – Victor Arano turned in a masterful performance as the Clearwater Threshers (9-3, 46-36) defeated the Brevard County Manatees (4-7, 33-46) 3-0 in a rain-shortened, seven-inning contest at Space Coast Stadium on Monday night.
Arano (3-7, 4.44 ERA) allowed just three hits and tossed seven shutout innings to earn the victory. He walked one and struck out three. He, unofficially, threw 72 pitched and 56 strikes.
Clearwater scored three runs in the top of the second inning against Brevard County starter Eric Marzec. With two outs Marzec hit Willians Astudillo with a pitch. Carlos Tocci then singled to right field to put runners on the corners with two outs. Mitchell Walding stepped to the plate and lined a two-run double down the first base line.
The next batter, Chase Harris, laced an RBI triple to right field and gave the Threshers a three-run advantage.
The lone Brevard County threat came in the bottom of the third. Jose Pena started the inning with a single to left field. Two batters later, Angel Ortega singled through the left side. Chris McFarland struck out, but a passed ball on the third strike advanced Pena and Ortega. Michael Ratterree popped out to second to end the threat.
Marzec (1-7, 4.72 ERA) took the loss. He allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings. He walked two and fanned four. He retired seven in a row after the Harris triple.
Before the start of the eighth inning, heavy rain forced the tarp to come onto the field. The game was never resumed.
Brevard County will head to Tampa on Tuesday to start a three-game series and a seven-game road trip.
First pitch at George M. Steinbrenner Field is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Javi Salas (7-4, 2.84 ERA) will start for the Manatees. Tampa will send LHP Jordan Montgomery (5-6, 2.95 ERA) to the hill.
