Denied Early, Jupiter Falls In Extras 4-0
Bullpen, Defense Waste Terrific Start By Evans
After taking Game 1 of the night's doubleheader with a walk-off suicide squeeze, Jupiter tried to get things going much earlier in Game 2. But a close call in the 1st inning kept the game scoreless into the 8th, when Fort Myers bested the Hammerheads bullpen on its way to a 4-0 win.
Jupiter's center fielder Kevin Mattison was the top basestealer in professional baseball a month into the season; despite a season slowed by injuries and promotions, he's still tied for the Florida State League lead. Mattison showed in the 1st inning what that speed can do, as he nearly pulled off the closest thing to a stolen home run.
In the bottom of the 1st, Mattison struck out on a wild pitch, but beat the throw to first base. The speedster wasted little time in stealing both second and third base. After a ball to batter Ben Lasater, Mattison caught catcher Allan De San Miguel making an arcing toss back to the pitcher and took off for home. Starter Mike Tarsi threw back to De San Miguel, who applied a tag to Mattison's leg, which appeared to already be between the catcher's knees and on the plate. Nevertheless, the home plate umpire ruled Mattison out, despite manager Ron Hassey's protest.
As the excitement of the 1st inning died down, the pitchers went to work silencing the game's offense. For the Miracle, Tarsi struck out six in four innings of one-hit ball, giving way to relievers Michael Allen and Blake Martin, who each tossed a pair of scoreless innings.
By contrast, Jupiter's Bryan Evans went the shortened distance in his best start since joining the Hammerheads. Evans allowed just three hits over seven innings while striking out five without allowing a walk.
But as the doubleheader's second game progressed into an extra 8th inning, Evans gave way to the bullpen. After an out by Jeff Gogal, Jupiter turned to co-save leader Steve Cishek. Cishek had trouble finding the plate and was lifted for Peter Andrelczyk after allowing walks to the first two batters he faced. Unfortunately, Andrelczyk didn't fare much better, allowing a walk and a single to put Fort Myers ahead with the game's first run. A small setback became a big hole in the next at-bat, as the bases cleared on a pair of errors by the right side of the Hammerheads defense. Ben Lasater's fielding error allowed Chris Herrmann to reach and plated another run, while Seth Fortenberry's throw to third went awry, scoring two more runs and landing Herrmann on third.
Martin held down a 1-2-3 bottom of the 8th to split the doubleheader. The Hammerheads now welcome their Roger Dean Stadium roommates the Palm Beach Cardinals for three more games in the Fins & Feathers Series. First pitch for Wednesday is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Jupiter's center fielder Kevin Mattison was the top basestealer in professional baseball a month into the season; despite a season slowed by injuries and promotions, he's still tied for the Florida State League lead. Mattison showed in the 1st inning what that speed can do, as he nearly pulled off the closest thing to a stolen home run.
In the bottom of the 1st, Mattison struck out on a wild pitch, but beat the throw to first base. The speedster wasted little time in stealing both second and third base. After a ball to batter Ben Lasater, Mattison caught catcher Allan De San Miguel making an arcing toss back to the pitcher and took off for home. Starter Mike Tarsi threw back to De San Miguel, who applied a tag to Mattison's leg, which appeared to already be between the catcher's knees and on the plate. Nevertheless, the home plate umpire ruled Mattison out, despite manager Ron Hassey's protest.
As the excitement of the 1st inning died down, the pitchers went to work silencing the game's offense. For the Miracle, Tarsi struck out six in four innings of one-hit ball, giving way to relievers Michael Allen and Blake Martin, who each tossed a pair of scoreless innings.
By contrast, Jupiter's Bryan Evans went the shortened distance in his best start since joining the Hammerheads. Evans allowed just three hits over seven innings while striking out five without allowing a walk.
But as the doubleheader's second game progressed into an extra 8th inning, Evans gave way to the bullpen. After an out by Jeff Gogal, Jupiter turned to co-save leader Steve Cishek. Cishek had trouble finding the plate and was lifted for Peter Andrelczyk after allowing walks to the first two batters he faced. Unfortunately, Andrelczyk didn't fare much better, allowing a walk and a single to put Fort Myers ahead with the game's first run. A small setback became a big hole in the next at-bat, as the bases cleared on a pair of errors by the right side of the Hammerheads defense. Ben Lasater's fielding error allowed Chris Herrmann to reach and plated another run, while Seth Fortenberry's throw to third went awry, scoring two more runs and landing Herrmann on third.
Martin held down a 1-2-3 bottom of the 8th to split the doubleheader. The Hammerheads now welcome their Roger Dean Stadium roommates the Palm Beach Cardinals for three more games in the Fins & Feathers Series. First pitch for Wednesday is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.