Tees' Win 5-3, Win Series Over T-Yanks

TAMPA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees (23-28) secured a series win by defeating the Tampa Yankees (22-28) 5-3 on Thursday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Yankees have now lost eight of their last ten games.

RHP Cesar Vargas made his T-Yanks debut after being promoted from the low-A Charleston River Dogs. The Tampa also received outfielder Cody Grice from the double-A Trenton Thunder and RHP Zach Woods from the Gulf Coast League Yankees. Other roster moves included sending outfielders Mason Williams and Ben Gamel to the double-A Trenton, along with LHP Rigoberto Arrebato.

Brevard County opened the scoring in the second. Mitch Haniger singled and advanced to second on a walk by Nick Delmonico. One out later, Greg Hopkins hit an RBI single, giving the Manatees a 1-0 lead.

The Yankees took a 2-1 lead in the third. With one out, Taylor Dugas walked and advanced on a wild pitch by Manatees' starter Jacob Barnes. Robert Refsnyder followed with a bloop single down the right field line, moving Dugas to third. With Refsnyder on the move, Peter O'Brien drove in Dugas with a groundout to the shortstop. Jose Toussen then doubled to left center field, scoring Refsnyder and giving Tampa a 2-1 lead. Toussen had replaced Matt Snyder batting fourth and playing first base after Snyder left the game in the third.

Ben McMahan tied the score for the Manatees in the fifth after hitting the ball off of the scoreboard in left center field.

Brevard County added three more runs in the sixth. Yadiel Rivera singled and stole second. Nick Ramirez reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error by Cito Culver at shortstop, allowing Rivera to score. One out later, Delmonico drew a walk. RHP Charley Short relieved Vargas and got Cameron Garfield to ground out to shortstop for the second out. Hopkins followed by hitting a pop-up down the first base line. The ball landed fair after Toussen missed the catch and two runs scored, giving the Manatees a 5-2 lead.

Tampa scored a run in the seventh, shortening the deficit to 5-3. With two outs, Mikeson Oliberto reached on an error by Rivera at shortstop. Oliberto then stole second later scored on a single by Dugas.

Barnes (8-5) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk in six innings pitched. The righty struck out two in the win.

Vargas (0-1) received the loss after allowing five runs (2 earned) on seven hits and two walks. The right-hander struck out six batters, tying his season high while with Charleston.

Up next, the T-Yanks remain home to begin a three-game commuter series with the Lakeland Flying Tigers. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. Fans can enjoy Wells Fargo Friday by taking advantage of $1 soda, all-you-can-eat chicken wings for $10 and select drink specials on the Tampa Tribune Deck from 6-8:00 p.m. Facebook Fans can enjoy $2 admission by visiting the TY Facebook page for a keyword to use at the box office.