Brevard drops series opener to Jupiter

JUPITER, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees fell 8-1 in their series opener with the Jupiter Hammerheads on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Stadium. Manatees starting pitcher Jed Bradley allowed a season-high six earned runs in five innings of work.

The 2011 first round draft pick ran into trouble early in the first inning. Bradley allowed a one-out single to Jacob Realmuto and then gave up three consecutive walks, the last of which drove in Realmuto. He was able to retire the next two hitters and leave the bases loaded with Hammerheads.

The next inning, Bradley gave up two runs on three hits and then Jupiter took a 7-0 lead with a four-run fourth. Jupiter had four hits in the inning and benefitted from a wild pitch by Bradley and two errors by Shea Vucinich.

The southpaw departed after five innings and surrendered nine hits to Jupiter, while walking three and striking out two. Since his return from the disabled list, Bradley (4-5, 4.42) is 0-2 with a 6.89 ERA in three starts.

Brevard County (24-33) scored its only run of the night in the top of the sixth. Franklin Romero Jr. led the inning off with a triple and then a ground-rule double by T.J. Mittelstaedt put runners on second and third with no outs. After a Mike Walker strikeout, Vucinich grounded out to third to plate Romero Jr.

Reggie Keen left the game in the second inning with an apparent ankle injury and 'Tees manager Joe Ayrault was ejected in the seventh for arguing a dropped third strike call.

The Manatees will look to get back on track on Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m. for the second of four games with the Hammerheads (28-30).

Andy Moye (1-0, 6.23) will take the hill for the Manatees. Moye allowed six runs on seven hits in five innings of work in his last start this past Thursday.

For Jupiter, Rob Rasmussen (2-6, 4.35) will toe the rubber. Rasmussen will be in search of his first win since May 4.