Brevard edged 2-1 as Nelson goes the distance

VIERA, Fla. - Brevard County Manatees starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson threw a complete game and allowed just two runs, but it was not enough as 'Tees were defeated by the Fort Myers Miracle 2-1 on Friday night at Space Coast Stadium.

The 2010 second round pick threw 107 pitches in nine innings as he scattered six hits while walking one and striking out five. It was Nelson's first complete game as a professional and his longest outing since June 30, 2011 when he went eight innings for Class-A Wisconsin against the Cedar Rapid Kernels. Nelson (2-4, 2.40) has now lost in three consecutive starts.

The only two runs that Nelson allowed to the Miracle were in the top of the sixth inning. After hitting Jairo Perez with a pitch with one out, Nelson gave up a first pitch home run to Oswaldo Arcia as Fort Myers took a 2-1 lead.

That homer by Arcia erased the lead that the 'Tees took in the bottom of the second with a round-tripper of their own. Miguel Velazquez led off the inning by taking the 0-1 pitch from Pat Dean and depositing it over the left field fence for his second home run of the season.

Brevard County (15-25) had a couple of chances late in the game to either tie it or take the lead. In the eighth, Adam Weisenburger led off the inning with a double. Two batters later with two outs, Reggie Keen singled to right and Weisenburger tried to score from second but was thrown out at home plate.

With their last chance in the ninth, T.J. Mittelstaedt led inning off with a single and reached second on a fielding error to put the tying run in scoring position with no outs. Cody Hawn then grounded out to move Mittelstaedt to third as the tying run was now 90 feet away from scoring.

Velazquez came up to the plate looking to drive in his second run of the game but he popped out to first in foul territory on a nice catch by Fort Myers (16-25) first baseman Michael Gonzales against the railing of the 'Tees dugout.

It was then left up to Mike Walker, who had the game-winning hit last night, but he would strike out to end the game and Brevard County's rally was thwarted.

Velazquez, Keen and Shea Vucinich all had two hits each for the 'Tees on Friday night.

Brevard County will look to get back on track in game three of their four-game set with Fort Myers on Saturday night at 6:35 p.m.

Brandon Williamson (0-2, 4.76) will get the start for the Manatees as he is still looking for his first with in a Brevard uniform. Williamson has not pitched since May 10. The Miracle will send Miguel Munoz (1-1, 3.18) to the bump.