Wells blanks 'Tees at Jack on 4th
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - For the second time this season, RHP Ben Wells (6-6) went seven innings at Jackie Robinson Ballpark to lead the Daytona Cubs to a win, this time 3-1 Thursday night over the Brevard County Manatees.
The win puts Daytona back in first place in the North Division in the second half of the season, moving the Cubs' record to 8-4 and dropping Brevard County to 8-5.
Wells allowed only two hits and one walk through his seven frames, and did not permit a single batter to reach as far as third base.
Offensively, the Cubs were paced by infielders Tim Saunders and Dustin Geiger, who each homered off of reigning FSL Pitcher of the Week LHP Brent Suter (7-5), who went 5.2 innings for the Manatees and allowed all three earned runs on the two homers.
Wells walked INF Brandon Macias to lead off the game, but got two ground ball outs and a strike out to get out of trouble. INF Greg Hopkins singled up the middle in the next inning for the Manatees, but a double play immediately erased him. The only other Manatee to reach was OF Mitch Haniger, who doubled down the left field line in the 4th, kicking up chalk on his two-base hit. Catcher Cameron Garfield followed with a strikeout, however, to end the inning.
That strikeout was the first of ten consecutive batters Wells retired to finish his outing and one of three punch outs he racked up on the night overall.
RHP Carlos Gutierrez finished the game for the Cubs on the mound with a pair of strikeouts in two innings for his first save since 2010 and fourth in his professional career.
Saunders and Geiger each had two hits to help the Cubs regain a bit of their offensive rhythm after three days off and a rough go against Brevard County pitching on Wednesday.
The first four Cubs hitters were eight-for-15, including a walk for INF Javier Baez. OF Pin-Chieh Chen also reached base twice thanks to a bunt single and his fourth walk since joining the Cubs after the All-Star Break.
Daytona also improved its record against Brevard County to 8-4 on the year and 5-2 against the Manatees at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
The Cubs will go for their fourth series win in as many tries against the Manatees Friday night at Space Coast Stadium. It will be a battle of right-handers on the hill with Zach Cates set to go for the Cubs against Damien Magnifico for the Manatees. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.