Manatees Storm Back to Defeat Cards, 7-4
The Manatees took an early 2-0 lead behind an RBI single by Sergio Miranda and a sacrifice fly from Zelous Wheeler. The Cardinals stormed back with a solo homer from Tommy Pham in the fifth inning, followed by Paul Vazquez's RBI single in the sixth inning to tie the game. Palm Beach took the lead in the top of the seventh inning on Aaron Luna's two-run blast to left field.
The lead was short-lived, however, as the Manatees tied the game in the bottom half of the inning. Chris Errecart smacked a single up the middle to score Logan Schafer and move Lee Haydel to third base. Four pitches later, a balk from pitcher Jorge Rondon allowed Haydel to cross the plate, tying the game at 4-4.
The Manatees took the lead in the eighth on Logan Schafer's two-out RBI double down the right field line. Lee Haydel followed with a shot right back at pitcher Casey Mulligan, knocking off his glove. Haydel was safe at first by the time Mulligan recovered, and Derrick Alfonso scored, making it a 6-4 game. Haydel then stole second base, and Vazquez's throw sailed into center field, allowing Schafer to score on the play to provide the final margin.
Mark Rogers pitched three-plus no-hit innings as the Brevard County starter before being relieved by Rafael Lluberes. Mark Willinsky (3-2) picked up the win by pitching a perfect eighth inning, and Omar Aguilar pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first save since returning to the Manatees. Mulligan (1-2) took the loss, allowing three unearned runs in his only inning.
After seven straight games at home, the Manatees head back on the road Monday. They take on the Charlotte Stone Crabs in a four-game series. Michael Bowman (2-2, 4.09) is expected to take the mound for Brevard County in the opener.