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Manatees Win Opener, 5-4

April 9, 2009 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Brevard County Manatees News Release


(Viera, FL) For the second straight year, the Brevard County Manatees rallied from behind to defeat Daytona on Opening Day, this time by the slimmest of margins, 5-4. With the game tied in at 4-4 in the ninth inning, Martin Maldonado hit a sacrifice fly to deep left field, easily bringing in Lee Haydel for the winning run. Mark Willinsky (1-0) earned the win for Brevard County after three shutout innings of work. Steve Vento (0-1) was stuck with a blown save and the loss for Daytona.

The Manatees struck first in the second inning on Martin Maldonado's two-run single. Brevard County starter Josh Butler was effective early, but ran into trouble in the fourth and fifth innings, surrendering two runs in each frame as Daytona built a 4-2 lead. The Manatees cut the lead to 4-3 in the sixth inning when Brent Brewer doubled, then came around to score on Steffan Wilson's RBI groundout.

Brevard County took advantage of sloppy fielding by the Cubs in the eighth inning to tie the game. Brewer reached first base on a dropped fly ball by Daytona right fielder Dylan Johnston. He immediately stole second base, and was able to move to third when the throw from catcher Mark Reed sailed into center field. After a Cole Gillespie pop out, Daytona pulled the infield in, but it was not enough to prevent Brewer from scoring on Caleb Gindl's ground out to second base. Haydel led off the ninth inning with a double, and then stole third to set up Maldonado's heroics.

With the win, the Manatees strike first in the I-95 Battle for the Roadside Trophy. The remainder of this weekend's series will be played at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona, with three games in the next four days. In tomorrow's game, Brevard County's Mark Rogers is expected to make his first appearance on the mound since 2006. He will be facing Marcos Mateo, who returns to Daytona for a second season. The Manatees return home on Tuesday to face the Tampa Yankees, beginning a six-game homestand.

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