VB Dodgers Win on Walkoff Walk

Published on April 28, 2006 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Vero Beach Devil Rays News Release


(Vero Beach, FL) - Blake DeWitt drew a bases-loaded walk on a full count with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to give the Vero Beach Dodgers a 3-2 win over the Brevard County Manatees Friday night at Holman Stadium. The homestand continues Saturday when the Palm Beach Carindals begin a 3-game series. Two-for-one admission is available by bringing in the Dodgers ad from this week's Hometown News.

The Dodgers win was especially dramatic, given that the team trailed 2-0 for the majority of the game. Brevard County got the better of an early pitcher's duel when Vero starter Chris Malone lost his control in the 3rd. After Hernan Irribarren reached on a fielder's choice, Malone hit the next two batters to load the bases. Hasaan Rasheed singled in one run and a wild pitch brought in another.

Meanwhile the Manatees hurlers were dominant. Starter Mark Rogers, listed as the #2 prospect in the Brewers organization, threw five shutout frames. He allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out a season-high nine. He left with the lead and in line for his first win of the season.

Reliever David Johnson initially kept the momentum. He retired his first five batters which, combined with the last 11 Rogers faced, gave Brevard a streak of 16 consecutive hitters retired (nine by strikeout). But with one out in the 8th, he threw away a ball hit by Jamie Hoffman. Two batters later, with the bases loaded, DeWitt hit a dribbler down the first base line and beat it out for a single to score the Dodgers first run.

Jeremy Lewis came in to bail out the Manatees in the 8th, but he could not nail it down in the ninth. Xavier Paul and Cole Bruce hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. Then Chris Westervelt chopped a ball toward third base. It was thrown away to score the tying run. Two outs later, Brevard intentionally walked Jimmy Rohan to set up the lefty-lefty matchup between Lewis and DeWitt. The 3-2 pitch from Lewis missed inside to give the Dodgers the 3-2 win.

With the victory, the Dodgers have now won six of their last 10 games and have not lost a series since Brevard County swept them April 13-15. That was also the last time Vero Beach lost back-to-back games.

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Florida State League Stories from April 28, 2006


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