Brevard Rallies to Snap Four-Game Skid

Published on August 18, 2012 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Brevard County Manatees News Release


CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees ended their four-game losing streak in dramatic fashion as they scored four runs in the eighth and one in the ninth to top the Clearwater Threshers, 6-5 on Saturday night at Bright House Field.

With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth, a two-out RBI single by Peter Lavin gave the Threshers a 2-1 lead. Clearwater would then go on and score three in the seventh, on a two-out three-run homer by Edgar Duran, off of reliever Alan Williams who entered the game for Taylor Jungmann.

Now down 5-1, the 'Tees (29-26 second half, 58-65 overall) started their rally in the top of the eighth with Reggie Keen leading off the inning with a double. Nick Shaw then reached on a throwing error by catcher Cameron Rupp, which allowed Keen to score and make it a 5-2 game. Brevard would have another runner reach on an error as Jason Rogers reached first on a throwing error by the rehabbing Placido Polanco, to put runners on first and second with no outs.

After a Mike Walker strikeout, Shea Vucinich walked to load the bases. Cody Hawn would then clear the bases with a three-run double to center to tie the game at 5-5. Clearwater (28-26, 64-56) reliever Colton Murray was then lifted for Juan Sosa. Sosa pitched around a two-out walk to Parker Berberet to get out of the inning, but the damage had already been done by Brevard.

Williams would pitch around a lead-off walk in the eighth to retire the side as the 'Tees came up in the ninth with a chance to take the lead. Just like he did in the eighth, Keen led off the ninth by reaching base via a walk. Shaw then sacrificed Keen over on a bunt and then Rogers singled to put runners on the corners with one out.

Following a Walker strikeout, it was Vucinich's turn to be the hero as he doubled on a liner to right to plate Keen and give the Manatees a 6-5 lead. Hawn was then intentionally walked to load the bases and set up the force at any base, but Berberet then struck out to end the inning.

Casey Medlen entered the game in the bottom of the ninth with a chance to become Brevard County's single-season saves leader. After Harold Martinez reached on a throwing error by Shaw, Medlen was able to retire the Threshers in order to close out the win for the 'Tees and earn his record-breaking 19th save of the season. Medlen breaks the mark of 18 saves, set by Rob Wooten back in 2009.

Jungmann (10-6, 3.59) did not factor into the decision as he made his fourth consecutive quality start. The 2011 first round pick went six innings and allowed two runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out one.

Of the eight hits that Brevard County recorded on Saturday night, five of them were doubles including two by Hawn, who also walked twice. Rogers and Berberet each recorded two hits as well.

The Manatees kept pace in the seemingly always jumbled North Division race. Brevard leapfrogged over Clearwater to move into fourth place and 2.5 games back of first place Tampa. Dunedin is currently 1.5 games behind the Yankees and Lakeland is two games out of first.

The rubber game of Brevard County and Clearwater's three-game set will be on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.

Brandon Williamson (3-9, 5.74) will get the ball for the 'Tees and has thrived in his last two starts as he is 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA in those games.

The Threshers will counter with Austin Wright (10-4, 3.09). Wright is 1-0 with a 1.96 ERA in his last three starts and has not lost a decision since July 6.

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