Manatees Beat the Hammerheads 2-1; Take All-Star Break Until Monday

VIERA, Florida – The Brevard County Manatees (34-30) played one good inning of small ball to beat the Jupiter Hammerheads 2-1 at Space Coast Stadium Thursday night.  In the bottom of the sixth, the Manatees scored twice to secure the win.

Brandon Macias reached first on an error and Chadwin Stang followed with a walk.  Then T.J. Mittelstaedt bunted them to second and third.  Macias scored on fielder’s choice by Gregory Hopkins.  Stang was driven home by a single to center by Mitch Haniger.

The Hammerheads (33-32) had taken a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth after the lead-off batter Austin Barnes was hit by a pitch from Manatee starter Chad Pierce.  Then Alex Burg hit a double to the wall to drive in Barnes

Jupiter threatened in the top of the eighth with a runner on third with no outs.  However, two ground outs and a fly to center ended the inning.

They also got the tying run on second in the ninth after consecutive base hits.  But a running catch by right fielder Stang ended the game.

Right-handed reliever Mark Williams (2-0) was credited with the win.  Righty Tommy Toledo came in during the ninth inning and struck out two to get the save.

The Manatees will be on the All-Star Break until next Monday when they host Lakeland at 6:35 pm.