Manatees Double up Dunedin, 6-3

Published on May 19, 2013 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Brevard County Manatees News Release


DUNEDIN, FLA. - The Brevard County Manatees held off a late rally attempt by the Dunedin Blue Jays in a 6-3 victory on Saturday night at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

After Kevin Shackelford allowed three straight hits and a run to start the bottom of the ninth inning, Tommy Toledo was called on to try and shut the door for the Manatees (22-19). Toledo entered the game in the bottom of the ninth with two men on and nobody out and the tying run at the plate.

He induced a pop up by pinch hitter Matt Newman. Jon Berti, the next man up, hit a long drive to right field, but Lance Roenicke was able to track it down on the warning track for the second out. Jonathan Jones popped out to the first baseman Nick Ramirez to seal the win for the Manatees. Toledo earned his second save of the season.

Brevard County jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. After Greg Hopkins reached on an infield single, Ramirez stepped up and launched a two-run homer to right field. For Ramirez, it was his sixth homer of the season, which ties him for the team lead.

Dunedin (23-16) would respond with a run in the bottom half of the frame off of Manatees starting pitcher Jed Bradley. Andy Burns plated Jon Berti, who doubled, with a RBI groundout to second base. The Blue Jays tied the game at two in the bottom of the fourth. After Andy Burns singled and stole second, Marcus Knecht smacked a double to left field that Ben McMahan lost in the sun.

Bradley (3-1, 3.82) would leave the game with an undisclosed injury with two outs in the fourth and a 2-0 count on Pierce Rankin. He allowed two runs on four hits, while walking two and striking out three.

After Chad Pierce took over on the mound, the Manatees would take the lead back in the fifth. Lance Roenicke started things off with a single up the middle. After Roenicke advanced on a wild pitch, Chadwin Stang followed with a roped RBI double to the left-center field gap.

T.J. Mittelstaedt and Hopkins both walked to load the bases. Hopkins finished the night 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a walk. With the bases full, Nick Ramirez grounded into a double play that scored Stang and gave Brevard County a 4-2 lead.

The 'Tees would tack on two insurance runs in the seventh inning to extend the lead to four.

Pierce was credited with the win, as he threw 3.1 inning of no-hit relief. Pierce walked five, but did not surrender a run. He also fanned three batters.

The rubber match of the series will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Drew Gagnon (3-3, 5.45) will take the mound for the Manatees. The Blue Jays will send Scott Copeland (3-1, 2.82) to the bump.

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Florida State League Stories from May 19, 2013


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