Brevard County Defeats Tampa 5-4, McFarland Ropes Walk-off Double In 12th
By Brevard County Manatees // August 6, 2015
BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – Chris McFarland delivered with a walk-off, two-run double in the bottom of the 12th inning as the Brevard County Manatees (17-20, 46-60 overall) defeated the Tampa Yankees (18-21, 52-57) 5-4 on Wednesday night at Space Coast Stadium.
After Tampa took the lead in the top of the 12th inning, Angel Ortega worked a one-out walk in the bottom of the frame. Omar Garcia then singled up the middle to put runners on first and second. McFarland stepped up a drilled a two-run, game-winning double into the right-center field gap.
It was McFarland’s second walk-off hit of the season. He had a game-winning single on May 12 against Bradenton. It was the sixth walk-off victory of the season for the Manatees.
Brevard County originally took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Garcia singled on a liner to right-center field. McFarland then chopped a ball over the left side of the infield for a single.
After Clint Coulter loaded the bases with a bloop single to right, Garrett Cooper walked to open the scoring.Robinzon Diaz then reached on a fielder’s choice that plated McFarland.
Tampa got on the board in the second on an RBI single from Miguel Andujar.
Dustin Fowler launched a two-run home run against Brevard County starter Jorge Ortega in the third to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead. Ortega tossed 6.2 innings and surrendered three runs on eight hits. He walked one and struck out four.
Brevard County tied the game on a sacrifice fly from Garrett Cooper in the sixth. Cooper finished with three hits, a double, a walk and an RBI.
The Brevard County bullpen dominated in the victory. The combination of Stephen Peterson, Kaleb Earls and Trevor Seidenberger allowed just one run on three hits in 5.1 innings. Seidenberger (4-1, 2.63 ERA) was credited with the victory after he recorded the final two outs in the top of the 12th.
Luis Niebla (1-5, 3.12 ERA) took the loss after he gave up the Chris McFarland double in the bottom of the 12th inning.
The Manatees and Yankees will play the rubber match of the three-game series tomorrow night. RHPJohnny Hellweg (0-3, 9.00 ERA) will get the start for Brevard County.
Tampa will send RHP Vicente Campos (1-4, 7.15 ERA) to the hill. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
