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Manatees Cruise to 1,000th Victory

August 12, 2009 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Brevard County Manatees News Release


(Viera, FL) The third time was the charm for the Brevard County Manatees Wednesday night, as they earned their 1,000th win in franchise history, defeating Dunedin, 8-2.

The Manatees jumped out to a great start, battering Dunedin starter Vince Bongiovanni (6-7) for four runs in the first inning. The first three Manatees hitters reached base, with an Eric Farris single sandwiched between two walks, to load the bases. Cleanup hitter Chris Errecart came through with a double to deep right field, scoring Logan Schafer and Farris. Lee Haydel followed with an RBI groundout to score Steffan Wilson. Sergio Miranda drove in the fourth run of the inning when he beat out a bunt single, allowing Errecart to score.

The 4-0 lead was more than enough for Manatees starter Amaury Rivas, who won for the seventh time in eight starts to improve to 11-6. Rivas allowed just two runs, seven hits, and a walk over seven innings, while striking out four Blue Jays. Brandon Rapoza pitched two shutout innings to finish off the victory.

The crucial play for Brevard County came in the top of the fifth inning. With one out in a 4-1 game, Brad McElroy hit a double to right-center field. Adam Loewen scored from third, and Sean Shoffit looked to score all the way from first. He was gunned down on the play by Logan Schafer, however, as Martin Maldonado survived an enormous collision at the plate to hang on. Rivas was able to prevent any further damage.

After Dunedin cut the lead to 4-2, the Manatees tacked on three insurance runs in the sixth inning. After a Chris Errecart double play left no runners on with two outs, the next six Manatees reached base on four singles and two walks, scoring three runs. The rally knocked Bongiovanni out of the game, but not before he had been tagged for seven runs in 5.2 innings. Brevard County tacked on their final run in the seventh inning on Sergio Miranda's RBI double.

Eight Manatees had at least one hit, and seven Manatees scored at least one run. Miranda led the way with a 3-4 day, scoring a run and driving in two. Farris, Wilson, and Zelous Wheeler each chipped in with two hits.

With 1,000 wins now out of the way, the Manatees set their sights on the franchise single-season record of 80 wins, set in 2001. They will need to win 15 of their final 25 games to reach 81 wins and break the record (assuming all games are completed). They can take the first step toward that mark Thursday night, as they wrap up the homestand. Mark Rogers (0-3, 1.97) gets the start for Brevard County, facing off against Dunedin's Chuck Huggins (4-1, 3.80). Game time is 7:05 pm.



Florida State League Stories from August 12, 2009


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