Manatees edge Cardinals on eighth inning error

VIERA, Fla. - Yet another pitching duel involving the Brevard County Manatees ended in a close game, with the home team taking a 2-1 decision against the Palm Beach Cardinals, thanks to an unearned run in the eighth inning on Tuesday night at Space Coast Stadium.

Palm Beach got on the board early thanks to a one-out walk and double in the first inning, but starting pitcher Brooks Hall (2-3, 2.72) then retired 14 straight batters as he totaled five strikeouts on the night.

Brevard County's (23-20) offense was held off the board until the fifth inning, when Yadiel Rivera led off with a single and then moved up 90 feet on a Lance Roenicke sacrifice bunt. Chadwin Stang brought Rivera home from second with a single to center to tie the game.

The Manatees and Cardinals (17-27) looked like they were heading into extra innings, until the bottom of the eighth. Stang led off the inning with a walk and two batters later with two outs a single from Cameron Garfield dropped in front of right fielder Stephen Piscotty, moving Stang from first to third base.

Piscotty's throw across the field was cut off by the shortstop Ronny Gil, who attempted to pickoff Garfield after his wide turn around first but Gil threw the ball away that allowed Stang to score. Brevard County improved its record to 12-4 in one-run games this season, which is tops in the Florida State League.

Jacob Barnes relieved Hall in the sixth and earned the win to improve his record to a perfect 4-0. He lowered his ERA to 0.76 on the season with four scoreless innings as he surrendered only one hit, while walking two with one strikeout.

A win on Wednesday night would guarantee the 'Tees the series victory over the Cardinals. Southpaw Brent Suter (2-2, 3.65) will toe the rubber for Brevard County and he will be opposed by Palm Beach's Scott Gorgen (3-1, 4.01). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.