Eye Black

Final: Fort Myers 10, Brevard County 3 Brevard downed 10-3 by Miracle By Andy Towne / Brevard County Manatees http://www.milb.com/assets/images/7/7/0/54421770/cuts/Ramirez_7.22_dpdhvouc_hefaqnjs.jpg Manatees first baseman Nick Ramirez slides into home safely for the first run for Brevard County in their 10-3 loss to the Fort Myers Miracle on Monday night at Space Coast Stadium in Viera. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) AUDIO: Game Highlights VIERA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees dropped their third straight game and their sixth defeat in the last seven games as they suffered their worst home loss since the home opener back on April 5, in a 10-3 defeat at the hands of the Fort Myers Miracle on Monday night at Space Coast Stadium. Brevard County (14-14 second half, 51-44 overall) was held to three runs on five hits, including a solo home run from Mitch Haniger in the sixth inning. At the time, that shot brought the Manatees back within 3-2, but it was downhill from there. Miracle (15-14, first baseman D.J. Hicks went 3-for-4 with three RBI and a career high four runs scored as Fort Myers put up its highest offensive output since they scored 11 runs on July 3 at Bradenton. Seven of the Fort Myers' ten runs came in the final three frames, as the Miracle took advantage of six walks and seven hits given up by the trio of Stephen Peterson, Dan Meadows and Alex Moore out of the Brevard County bullpen. Peterson had come on and retired each of the two men he faced in relief of Manatees starting pitcher Jacob Barnes (6-4, 3.44 ERA) in the sixth inning, leaving the bases loaded. Barnes was lifted after 5.1 innings of work, as he allowed three runs on eight hits and a pair of walks, while taking the loss. He did set a new season-high with seven strikeouts. Of the 15 hits on the night for the Miracle, 14 were singles. Hicks' home run in the second inning was the team's only extra-base hit. Fort Myers also left 14 men on base. Fort Myers starting pitcher Tyler Duffey (3-3, 3.88) earned the win after starting the game with four perfect innings before giving up a leadoff walk to Nick Ramirez and then back-to-back one out singles to Cody Hawn and Greg Hopkins, that allowed Ramirez to score the first run for the 'Tees in the fifth inning. Duffey still finished with a quality start as he held Brevard to three runs on five hits and one walk in seven innings. The right-hander posted a career-high ten strikeouts. Other than Hopkins driving in Ramirez and Haniger's homer, Cameron Garfield added a third run for the 'Tees in the seventh inning after a leadoff double. T.J. Mittelstaedt came up with the RBI as he knocked a two-out single to right to plate Mittelstaedt. Brevard County will try and keep their hopes of a series split alive in game three of their four-game set with Fort Myers on Tuesday night. Cody Scarpetta (0-4, 6.00) will throw the first pitch, set for 6:35 p.m., while his counterpart from Fort Myers is scheduled to be reigning Florida State League Pitcher of the Week Taylor Rogers (8-3, 2.61). Brevard County Box Score Brevard County Play-by-Play

With what appears to be a potentially serious arm injury to Jason Grilli tonight, the Pirates may become very interested in trading for a closer before the deadline.

It appears Jason Grilli just suffered a right arm injury, which may very well add the Pirates into the mix for a reliever.

Not that what they're saying is wrong, but those are some pretty high horses. I chuckled when Schilling said the collector had his life ruined. Well at least Schilling is an expert on ruining people's lives. Inside the Destruction of Curt Schilling's 38 Studios

Final: Fort Myers 1, Brevard County 0 'Tees dampened by Fort Myers, 1-0 Brevard drops rain-soaked series opener to Miracle By Andy Towne / Brevard County Manatees http://www.milb.com/assets/images/9/5/2/54331952/cuts/Suter_7.21_2_v1h8w3oj_0hq7w7tn.JPG Manatees starting pitcher Brent Suter struck out six and allowed just two hits in six scoreless innings, but did not factor in the decision as Brevard County was blanked 1-0 by the Fort Myers Miracle on Sunday evening at Space Coast Stadium in Viera. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) AUDIO: Game Highlights AUDIO: Scott Martens, Business Manager/Player Development & Minor League Ops for the Brewers, on the Pregame Show AUDIO: Mitch Haniger on the Pregame Show VIERA, Fla. - An unearned run was the difference in a rain-soaked affair on Sunday night at Space Coast Stadium as the Brevard County Manatees fell 1-0 to the Fort Myers Miracle. Two rain delays totaled 2:03, including a 55 minute delay before first pitch and another pause in the action of 1:58, with the official time of game play being recorded as 2:37. Brevard County (14-13 second half, 51-43 overall) starting pitcher Brent Suter (7-5, 2.60 ERA)had cruised through the first six frames, giving up just two hits and three walks with six strikeouts before the delay in the bottom of the sixth inning. Suter did not factor into the decision for his second straight outing though, after taking a decision in his first 12 appearances of the season. For Suter, it was also his tenth quality start in 13 starts with Brevard County this season. Fort Myers (14-14, 59-36) scored its only run in the top of the seventh against Matt Miller. Stephen Wickens reached on a one-out error by Yadiel Rivera, who could not cleanly handle the wet ball on a grounder. Wickens then moved up to second on a walk to Kyle Knudson but the fourth ball was a wild pitch, which allowed Wickens to go to third. Levi Michael then singled to center to drive home Wickens. Miracle lefty Jason Wheeler was also impressive before the delay as he held holding Brevard County to just three hits and two walks, while striking out four in his 5.1 innings of work. The Manatees had a runner reach second base just four times and only once did the 'Tees have a runner on third. Both starting pitchers combined to face just one batter over the minimum through the first three innings, with each issuing a walk. Suter was able to pick off Kennys Vargas after walking him in the second, to face only nine batters in three frames, before both teams recorded at least one hit in the fourth. The loss was the eighth shutout loss for the Manatees. It was also the eighth time that Fort Myers had blanked its opponent and the first time since May 28. The second game of the series is slated for 6:35 p.m. on Monday night. Jacob Barnes (6-3, 3.31 ERA) will start for the Manatees, with Tyler Duffey (2-3, 3.89 ERA) set to throw for Fort Myers. Brevard County Box Score Brevard County Play-by-Play

In my opinion, if K-Rod was the lone piece traded to the Tigers he may be able to bring back something along the lines of 24 year old LHP Casey Crosby. Crosby is likely a #4/5 starter or reliever in the future. Crosby has an MLB quality fastball, but poor command. He does have a K/9 ratio of 9.5 at AAA this season, but unfortunately it is coupled with 6.2 BB/9.

I also have a hard time envisioning any trade with the Tigers that would include Castellanos as a return (aside from the Brewers including Gomez). But if Melvin somehow ripped Castellanos from the Tigers organization...

Very glad to hear the WFCA All Star Game and fundraising efforts went so well! ...and welcome back!!

Hellweg Sharp In Sounds 8-5 Win Nashville Starter Logs Six Shutout Innings For Eighth Victory Nashville Sounds http://www.milb.com/assets/images/7/1/8/54206718/cuts/720_hellweg_fcvpopv3_4ivz61u9.jpg (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds) METAIRIE, La. - The Nashville Sounds topped the New Orleans Zephyrs Saturday night at Zephyr Field by a 8-5 margin, guided by Johnny Hellweg's impressive return start and offensive fireworks from Robinzon Diaz. Hellweg (8-4) made his first start for Nashville since June 22 a good one, logging six innings of shutout baseball for his eighth quality start of the season. The 6-foot-9 hurler limited the Z's to two hits on a team season-high 108 pitches, walking four and striking out six. The victory is Hellweg's eighth and his seventh consecutive, the longest such streak by a Sounds pitcher this season, stretching back to his May 16 outing against Salt Lake City. Hellweg's has not allowed a run over his last 13 PCL innings. Offensively, the Sounds scored first in the game using three hits and a walk in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead over the Zephyrs. Outfielder Khris Davis reached base with a single and scored on Anderson De La Rosa's base knock into right-center field. Following a wild pitch that moved De La Rosa to second, Cole Garner hit into shallow centerfield for an RBI. De La Rosa, 2-for-5, added to the Sounds lead with a double into left field which scored Hunter Morris from second. In the following inning, third baseman Robinzon Diaz doubled the Sounds' lead with one swing of the bat, connecting for a home run to centerfield to make it 6-0. The homer scored Josh Prince and Scooter Gennett, who both singled to start the fifth. The Z's picked up a pair of runs with two outs in the seventh inning. Reliever Travis Webb walked Kyle Jensen and then allowed an RBI-double to Gorkys Hernandez. Tim Dillard entered to pick up the final out, but not before Chris Valaika hit a double down the left-field line to make it 6-2. The Sounds took back their six-run lead in the ninth inning with a two-run double from Kentrail Davis that scored Gennett, 2-for-5, and Hainley Statia, 1-for-1. Zach Kroenke, Michael Olmsted and Rob Wooten also saw work on the hill for Nashville. Kroenke worked a scoreless eighth inning, before giving way to Olmsted, who let up a three-run homer in the ninth to Hernandez. Wooten entered with one out in the ninth to finish the game. New Orleans' Duane Below (5-4) was charged with the loss, allowing Nashville three runs on five hits over four innings of work. The Sounds will look to win the four-game series with New Orleans Sunday night at Zephyr Field. Throwing for Nashville will be RHP Jimmy Nelson (1-3, 3.62) opposite the Z's RHP Jay Jackson (1-0, 0.00). Baseball returns to Nashville on Monday, July 22, for Peanut Free Night at Greer, presented by the Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center. Nashville Box Nashville PbP Nashville Gameday

Rattlers drop Dragons 6-2 Wisconsin takes game one at Dayton By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/9/3/2/54217932/cuts/July_20_2013_Cooper_n06nqhxv_mdswgx3p.jpg Garrett Cooper is about to score on a single by Orlando Arcia in the sixth inning at Dayton on July 20, 2013. DAYTON, OH - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored three runs in the first inning at Fifth Third Field and never looked back. Tyler Wagner and Harvey Martin held the Dayton Dragons to a pair of runs as Wisconsin snapped a three-game losing streak with a 6-2 win. Wisconsin (41-52 overall, 12-16 second half) grabbed the lead with three runs in the top of the first inning. Michael Reed tripled with one out and Tyrone Taylor was hit by a pitch. Victor Roache was at the plate and Dayton starting pitcher Amir Garrett uncorked a wild pitch to let Reed score and send Taylor to second. Roache followed with an RBI single to left to drive in Taylor. Garrett threw another wild pitch to send Roache to second, walked Garrett Cooper, and threw a third wild pitch in the inning to put runners on second and third. Mike Garza drove in Roache with a grounder to the right side and the Rattlers were up 3-0. Dayton (43-55, 15-14) got a run Tyler Wagner in the bottom of the fifth inning. Tanner Rahier homered to left-center to lead off the inning and cut Wisconsin's lead to 3-1. Adam Matthews followed with a walk. Beau Amaral would single with one out to put the tying runs on base. But, Wagner ended the rally by getting Sammy Diaz to ground into an inning ending 6-4-3 double play. That put Wagner in line for his eighth win of the season. The Rattlers added to their lead in the top of the sixth. Garrett Cooper reached on an error with one out and was still at first base with two away. Parker Berberet kept the inning going with a single to left. Orlando Arica followed with a single up the middle and the Rattlers were up 4-1. Chris McFarland made it 5-1 with a double to right-center that scored Berberet. Martin took over for Wagner in the bottom of the sixth. He allowed a walk and a single with one out in the sixth, but got out of the inning with a strikeout and a grounder to first. Martin would set down the side in order in the seventh and ran his streak of consecutive Dragons retired to seven as he got the first two outs of the eighth. But, Seth Mejias-Brean drilled a home run to the bleachers with two outs in the bottom of the eighth to get Dayton to within 5-2. Wisconsin added an insurance run in the top of the ninth. McFarland reached on an error and stole second. Alfredo Rodriguez sacrificed McFarland to third. A wild pitch let McFarland score to put the Rattlers up 6-2. Martin tossed a scoreless ninth to lock down his first professional save and the win for Wisconsin. Martin struck out five, walked one, and gave up one run on three hits over four innings. Game two of the series at Fifth Third Field continues on Sunday afternoon. Jorge Lopez (4-6, 5.43) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Dayton sends Drew Cisco (3-5, 3.61) to the mound. Game time is 1:00pm CDT. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:40pm. Sunday's game is also available on MiLB.TV. HOME RUNS: DAY: Tanner Rahier (7th, 0 on in 5th inning off Tyler Wagner, 0 out) Seth Mejias-Brean (5th, 0 on in 8th inning off Harvey Martin, 2 out) WP: Tyler Wagner (8-7) LP: Amir Garrett (0-1) SAVE: Harvey Martin (1) TIME: 2:45 ATTN: 8,194 Wisconsin Boxscore Wisconsin Recap

As someone whose 9-year old self was completely smitten with Upper Deck when they burst on the scene, I found this article regarding the Rise and Fall of Upper Deck very interesting.

Rain-out tonight for Brevard County per a Tommy Toledo tweet.

Rattlers get shutout in Bowling Green Hot Rods complete the sweep with a 7-0 win over Wisconsin By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers BOWLING GREEN, KY - The Bowling Green Hot Rods completed their three game sweep of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Bowling Green Ballpark with a 7-0 win on Friday night. Reinaldo Lopez tossed seven innings and was backed up by a thirteen hit attack by his offense. Bowling Green (57-39 overall, 19-9 second half) scored first for the third straight game in the series. Andrew Toles tripled to start the bottom of the first. Tyler Goeddel grounded out to short to drive in Toles for a 1-0 lead. The Hot Rods added to their lead in the second inning. Joey Rickard doubled to start the inning. Patrick Leonard followed with an RBI double. Later in the inning, a sacrifice fly by Tommy Coyle drove in Leonard and Bowling Green was up 3-0. Goeddel tripled in a run in the bottom of the fourth and scored on a single by Luke Maile to make the score 5-0. That single by Maile knocked Wisconsin starting pitcher Eric Semmelhack out of the game. Semmelhack allowed five runs on eight hits with three walks in 3-1/3 innings. The Rattlers (40-52, 11-16) had plenty of chances in the first half of the game against Lopez. Alfredo Rodriguez started the game with a single. But he was doubled off first after Michael Reed lined out to second base. In the third inning, Tyler Roberts lead off the inning with a single. Adrian Williams hit a line drive to third. Goeddel snared it and fired to first to double off Roberts. In the fourth. Reed was on third and Tyrone Taylor was on first with no outs. But, Reed was picked off third on a snap throw by catcher Justin O'Conner. Wisconsin loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fifth. Garrett Cooper drew a walk, Roberts was hit by a pitch, and Williams singled to left. Rodriguez stepped in and lined a 1-0 pitch right at Goeddel, who caught the ball and fired to second to double Roberts off second base to end the inning. Reed would double to start the sixth inning, but would be left stranded as Lopez retired the next three batters of the sixth. Lopez scattered eight hits over seven innings and struck out five in the game to earn his fifth win of the season. Bowling Green put the game away in the bottom of the seventh. Justin O'Conner homered off Rodolfo Fernandez to lead off the inning. The final tally of the game crossed the plate when Fernandez balked with runners at the corners to let the runner from third cross the plate for a 7-0 cushion. Stone Speer entered the game for the Hot Rods in the top of the eighth and retired the side in order in that inning and again in the ninth to complete the shutout. It was the first time the Timber Rattlers have been shutout since May 29 of this season when Beloit beat them 3-0 at Pohlman Field. Taylor and Reed both had a pair of hits to lead Wisconsin's offense. The Timber Rattlers continue their road trip with game one of a three game series against the Dayton Dragons, the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, at Fifth Third Field in Dayton, Ohio. Wisconsin sends Tyler Wagner (7-7, 3.70) to the hill as the starting pitcher. Amir Garrett will be making his Midwest League debut on Saturday when he is the starting pitcher for the Dragons. Garrett had been 1-1 with a 2.66 ERA in five starts for the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League before getting the bump to Dayton. Game time on Saturday is 6:00pm CDT. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or the IHeartRadio app starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 5:40pm. Saturday's game is also available on MiLB.TV. HOME RUN: BG: Justin O'Conner (9th, 0 on in 7th inning off Rodolfo Fernandez, 0 out) WP: Reinaldo Lopez (5-4) LP: Eric Semmelhack (1-5) TIME: 2:23 ATTN: 3,412 Wisconsin Boxscore Michael Reed, Tyrone Taylor, and Tyler Roberts were the bright spots.... [pre]Player AB R H 2B RBI BB SO AVG Michael Reed 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 .298 Tyrone Taylor 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 .295 Tyler Roberts 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 .246[/pre] Wisconsin Recap The ninth was a fitting capper to a tough night... Wisconsin Top of the 9th Max Walla called out on strikes. Victor Roache called out on strikes. Mike Garza strikes out swinging.

Final: St. Lucie 3, Brevard County 1 'Tees bats held in check by Mets Brevard falls 3-1 to St. Lucie despite solid start by Bradley By Dave Walkovic / Brevard County Manatees http://www.milb.com/assets/images/9/7/0/48979970/cuts/Bradley_5.6_1_phwkcake_4e1iz7kd.JPG Manatees starting pitcher Jed Bradley, seen here in a game from earlier this season, allowed just one run in five innings on Friday night against the St. Lucie Mets at Tradition Field. Bradley did not factor in the decision as Brevard County lost 3-1. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - A strong pitching performance from starting pitcher Jed Bradley was not enough for the Brevard County Manatees as they fell 3-1 to the St. Lucie Mets at Tradition Field on Friday night. Bradley (4-4, 4.14 ERA) allowed just one run, which came in the first inning, on two hits over five innings. The Brevard County (14-12 second half, 51-42 overall) lefty walked a batter and fanned two. Jayce Boyd drove in the first run of the game on a ground out to second base that plated Kyle Johnson, who smacked a leadoff double in the first inning. The 1-0 St. Lucie (15-11, 52-41) lead would hold up all the way into the seventh. Kevin Plawecki delivered an RBI single against Alex Moore to double the Mets lead. Moore, who had pitched a scoreless sixth, allowed just the one run on three hits in 1.1 innings. After Santo Manzanillo allowed a run in the eighth on a Dustin Lawley sacrifice fly, St. Lucie led 3-0 heading into the ninth. The 'Tees had one final chance in the top of the ninth and it started with Greg Hopkins reached on a fielding error by shortstop Matt Reynolds to lead off the frame. Hopkins would advance on a wild pitch before Ben McMahan and Lance Roenicke each grounded out to third. Rafael Neda then hit a slow chopper to short that Reynolds was unable to handle which resulted in the first run of the game for the Manatees, as Hopkins scored. The tying run then stepped to the plate in the form of Brandon Macias, but T.J. Chism struck out Macias to end the game. St. Lucie starter Alex Panteliodis hurled seven shutout innings as he scattered four hits on the night and escaped a bases loaded, two-out jam in the second. The southpaw struck out seven 'Tees on the evening. McMahan provided the only multi-hit game for the Manatees as he went 2-for-4 with a double, which was also Brevard's only extra-base hit, to dead center field. Brevard County was held to just five hits total. The Mets and the Manatees will wrap up their four-game series and season series on Saturday night in Port St. Lucie, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Lefty Brent Suter (7-5, 2.79 ERA) will toe the rubber for Brevard County. He will be opposed by Michael Fulmer (0-1, 4.50 ERA), who will make just his third start of the season for St. Lucie. Brevard County Box Score Jed Bradley had a solid outing in only giving up 2 hits and 1 walk in 5.0 innings. He forced 9 ground outs compared to only 1 fly out. Unfortunately he only recorded 2 strikeouts which isn't going to help his K/9 which was 6.9 this season coming into the game. Brevard County Play-by-Play

Okay this is straightforward. I figure we could use a friendly competition to predict the who, when, and where of the Brewers FIRST pre-deadline deal. So let the games begin... Date of First Trade: Wednesday, July 24 First Brewers Player Traded: Francisco Rodriguez First Trade Partner: Detroit Tigers

Final: AZL Brewers 5, @AZL Angels 0 AZL Brewers Box Score Nice effort both offensively and defensively for the AZL Brewers. Two hits apiece for both Brandon Diaz and Tucker Neuhaus, and each added a walk also. Tanner Norton had a three hit evening. The Brewers had 12 hits total, 10 of which were singles with the only exceptions being doubles by Neuhaus and Paul Eshleman. AZL Brewers pitching held the baby Angels to just three hits over 9 innings, and added 13 strikeouts. Each AZL Brewers pitcher walked one batter each as they combined to allow four free passes. [pre] IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Drew Ghelfi 5.0 2 0 0 1 6 0 1.42 Gian Rizzo 2.0 1 0 0 1 3 0 2.45 Ryan Deeter 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0.00 Scott Harkin 1.0 0 0 0 1 3 0 1.23[/pre] AZL Brewers Game Log AZL Brewers break the game open in the 8th: AZL Brewers Top of the 8th -Brandon Diaz strikes out swinging. -Eric Williams singles on a line drive to center fielder Natanael Delgado. Eric Williams advances to 2nd, on a fielding error by center fielder Natanael Delgado. -Tucker Neuhaus walks. -Paul Eshleman pops out to second baseman Jon Pellant on the infield fly rule. -Elvis Rubio singles on a line drive to left fielder Quinten Davis. Eric Williams scores. Elvis Rubio to 2nd. Tucker Neuhaus advances to 3rd, on a throwing error by left fielder Quinten Davis. *Pitching Change: Kyle Hunter replaces Angel Guerra. -Tanner Norton singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ricky Martinez. Tucker Neuhaus scores. Elvis Rubio scores. -Joe Andrade pops out to third baseman Ismael Dionicio in foul territory. Ryan Deeter pitches one inning in his debut: AZL Angels Bottom of the 8th *Pitching Change: Ryan Deeter replaces Gian Rizzo. -Ismael Dionicio strikes out swinging. -Jon Pellant pops out to third baseman Tucker Neuhaus in foul territory. -Quinten Davis hit by pitch. *Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Glenn Beltran replaces Quinten Davis. -Erick Salcedo walks. Glenn Beltran to 2nd. -Natanael Delgado flies out to left fielder Eric Williams in foul territory. Scott Harkin strikes out the side in the 9th: AZL Angels Bottom of the 9th *Pitching Change: Scott Harkin replaces Ryan Deeter. -Matt Scioscia strikes out swinging. -Ricky Martinez called out on strikes. -Dropped foul pop error by catcher Tanner Norton. -Chase Patterson walks. -Taylor Johnson called out on strikes.

The Area Code Games (Aug. 5-10) "Brewers Roster" is set with several players expected to go high in next year's draft including several potential 1st and 2nd round talents such as Alex Jackson, Brady Aiken, Jack Flaherty, Luke Dykstra, Scott Hurst, etc. With the Brewers set to get multiple picks in the top 40-ish range, we might be getting a sneak peak of one of these guys donning a Brewers uni.

Final: Brevard County 3, St. Lucie 2 Brevard snaps skid on tenth inning walk-off Manatees fall behind early, comeback to top St. Lucie 3-2 By Andy Towne / Brevard County Manatees http://www.milb.com/assets/images/0/3/2/54037032/cuts/Macias_7.18_1_autoadjust_2wr1ps8f_0v804aau.jpg Manatees third baseman Brandon Macias looks down before he makes his final step onto home plate to score the winning run in Brevard County's 3-2 walk-off win in ten innings over the St. Lucie Mets on Thursday night at Space Coast Stadium. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) VIERA, Fla. - An opposite field RBI single from Nick Ramirez that snuck inches inside the third-base line gave the Brevard County Manatees a 3-2 walk-off win in ten innings over the St. Lucie Mets on Thursday night at Space Coast Stadium. It marks the eighth walk-off victory in 47 home games for the Manatees (14-11 second half, 51-41 overall) and the team's fifth extra-inning win. Brevard County also improved its league-best mark in one-run games to 23-12. Brandon Macias scored the winning run after leading off the bottom of the tenth with a single and then advancing to second on D'Vontrey Richardson's base hit up the middle. Macias finished the night with two base hits and two runs scored, as he was one of three Manatees' with multiple hits. Richardson and Cody Hawn also had two hits each. Both of Hawn's hits came against St. Lucie (14-11, 51-41) starting pitcher Matt Bowman, making him the only Brevard County player to even have one hit through the first five innings. Battling rain and a wet mound, Bowman saw trouble in the sixth when he allowed back-to-back singles to Lance Roenicke and Macias and then first baseman Robbie Shields missed the catch on the throw from Bowman on Macias' single, which allowed Roenicke to make it to third base. From there, he was able to score on Richardson's sacrifice fly. Macias would later score on a wild pitch to tie the game at 2-2. The Mets jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Brevard County starting pitcher Tyler Cravy (3-1, 2.98 ERA), who was a late fill-in starter, by getting each of their first three men on base. Kyle Johnson singled and T.J. Rivera followed with a double. With both men in scoring position, Jayce Boyd brought them home on a two-run double to right field. After a one-out single in the first, Cravy settled down to retire 16 consecutive batters before a two-out single off the bat of Dustin Lawley in the top of the sixth. Cravy finished his night after a season-best six innings, but did not factor in the decision. The starter was charged with just the two runs that came in the first and a total of five hits and zero walks, while striking out three men. Cravy had a chance to be the pitcher of record in the bottom of the sixth, but Brevard County left the bases loaded in that frame. Brevard County's bullpen combine to allow just one hit over four scoreless innings as the trio of Mark Williams, Tommy Toledo and Stephen Peterson also struck out five. The win was credited to Peterson, moving him to 3-0 on the season. The loss went to former Major Leaguer Tim Byrdak, who recorded just one out in the tenth with three hits allowed. Bowman made it through the seventh, but also did not take a decision despite allowing just two runs - one earned - on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Brevard County and St. Lucie will continue their four-game set on Friday night, as the series shifts to Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie for a 6:30 p.m. scheduled start. Due to start on the mound are a pair of lefties, as Jed Bradley (4-3, 4.30 ERA) will get the ball for the Manatees and Alex Panteliodis (4-3, 4.11 ERA) will get the nod for the Mets. Brevard County Box Score All 9 Manatees hits were singles. Three BC players finished with 2 hits: D'Vontrey Richardson, Cody Hawn, and Brandon Macias. In his three starts this season Tyler Cravy has only given up a combined 4 earned runs. Brevard County Play-by-Play The WALK-OFF (8th of the year for the 'Tees): Brevard County Bottom of the 10th -Pitching Change: Tim Byrdak replaces Hamilton Bennett. -Brandon Macias singles on a fly ball to center fielder Kyle Johnson. -D' Vontrey Richardson singles on a line drive to center fielder Kyle Johnson. Brandon Macias to 2nd. -Yadiel Rivera bunt pops out to catcher Kevin Plawecki in foul territory. -Nick Ramirez singles on a line drive to left fielder Dustin Lawley. Brandon Macias scores. D' Vontrey Richardson to 2nd.

Nice tribute from Chandler Bats (@chandlerbats) includes the 2013 Florida State League HR Derby champion... http://s12.postimg.org/eizpajpn1/image.jpg

Final: St. Lucie 9, Brevard County 3 'Tees drop series opener to Mets Brevard falls 9-3 to St. Lucie for third straight loss By Andy Towne / Brevard County Manatees http://www.milb.com/assets/images/3/7/0/53991370/cuts/Garfield_play_at_plate_7.17_x71z1xv1_pu7henov.JPG Brevard County catcher Cameron Garfield goes to make the tag on St. Lucie shortstop Matt Reynolds in the second inning of Wednesday night's game at Space Coast Stadium. The Manatees lost 9-3 to the Mets. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) AUDIO: Game Highlights AUDIO: Greg Hopkins Pre-Game Interview VIERA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees fell behind early and never could catch up as they dropped Wednesday night's series opener to the St. Lucie Mets at Space Coast Stadium, by the score of 9-3. St. Lucie led from the get-go, but continued to be patient to be sure that they walked away with the win. A walk started up a two-out rally in the eighth, when the Mets scored a pair off of Santo Manzanillo to push their lead from 4-3 to 6-3. Three more St. Lucie runs ended up scoring against Dan Meadows in the final frame, during which he hit the leadoff man and later walked four with one hit allowed, but those runs acted only as insurance for the Mets. Brevard County (13-11 second half, 50-41 overall) used two runs in the sixth to tighten the game, having initially trailed 4-0 at the halfway point. Yadiel Rivera opened the sixth with a single up the middle and then Mitch Haniger was hit by a pitch. Nick Ramirez came up and singled through the right side to score Rivera and move Haniger over to third base. Haniger later scored on a Greg Hopkins fielder's choice. The Manatees scored their first run in in the bottom of the fifth, after Cody Hawn doubled and was able to cross the plate on a single by Brandon Macias. Hawn's double was Brevard County's only extra-base hit of the night. In each of the first three innings, the Mets (14-10, 51-40) scored single runs by putting a man on, stealing second base, and getting an RBI hit two batters later. While the formula changed slightly in the fifth, requiring just a single and a ground-rule double, they were able to edge the lead out to 4-0 before Brevard began to score. Manatees' starting pitcher Cody Scarpetta (0-4, 6.00 ERA) went 4.2 innings for the second straight start, which also matches his longest outing of the season. He was charged with four runs on eight hits. Scarpetta did tie his season-best with four strikeouts and walked just one batter. The one free pass was his fewest since June 30, 2011 with Huntsville. St. Lucie's Hansel Robles fell just shy of a quality start, leaving with two outs in the sixth and a runner on base after giving up two runs in the frame and three in all. He did not issue a walk, struck out four and surrendered seven hits. Randy Fontanez was the first man out of the bullpen for the Mets and he struck out five of the seven men he faced in 2.1 scoreless frames. Game two of the series will take place on Thursday night at Space Coast Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Brevard County will send Chad Pierce (5-3, 3.49) to the mound, while Matt Bowman (5-2, 2.75) will get the start for St. Lucie. Brevard County Box Score Brevard County Play-by-Play

I love the Competitive Balance Lottery! A free pick after the 1st round that becomes an instant trade commodity? Yes please! One of the biggest advantages of having 3 of the top 50 selections is that the Brewers will have one of the largest spending pools in next year's draft. It will allow them a lot more flexibility in determining what draft strategy to employ.

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/80/files/2013/07/7503816.jpg Figured we needed one obligatory Jimmy Nelson Futures Game action photo in this thread before it dries up and goes off to BF.net thread heaven.

Final: Palm Beach 1, Brevard County 0 (Game 2) Brevard blanked in twinbill finale Manatees three-hit by Cards in second game of double dip By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees http://www.milb.com/assets/images/2/0/4/45625204/cuts/Barnes_4.13_2_e1n3zo62_u1fe4okr.JPG Brevard County starting pitcher Jacob Barnes, seen here in a game from earlier this season, threw a six-inning complete game, but it was in a losing effort as the Manatees were blanked 1-0 by the Palm Beach Cardinals in the second game of Monday night's doubleheader at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) JUPITER, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees could only muster three hits in the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Palm Beach Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. Brevard County (13-10 second half, 50-40 overall) starting pitcher Jacob Barnes (6-3, 3.31 ERA) threw a six-inning complete game, but it was in a losing effort as the Cardinals (15-9, 44-48) scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the first inning. A one-out double by David Popkins and then a RBI single off the bat of Jonathan Rodriguez two batters later would plate the only run of the contest and would be all that Palm Beach would need. Barnes yielded seven hits in his six hits of work, while walking just one and striking out two. The 'Tees could not solve Cardinals' starting pitcher Ryan Sherriff as the southpaw held Brevard to just two hits and a walk in his 5.2 innings of work. Ronnie Shaban earned the save in the final 1.1 innings for Palm Beach. Brandon Macias, Greg Hopkins and Lance Roenicke recorded the only Brevard County hits. The loss marked the seventh time that the 'Tees have been shutout this season. After an off day on Tuesday, Brevard County will open a four-game series with the St. Lucie Mets (13-10, 50-40). The Manatees will host the first two games of the set on Wednesday and Thursday and then the series will shift to Port St. Lucie on Friday and Saturday. Brevard County Box Score Brevard County Play-by-Play

Final: Palm Beach 2, Brevard County 1 (Game 1) Manatees' winning streak snapped on walk-off Brevard falls in first game of twinbill to Palm Beach, 2-1 By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees http://www.milb.com/assets/images/8/4/0/49621840/cuts/Haniger_5.31_cgq4oszn_flud46mw.JPG Manatees right fielder Mitch Haniger, seen here in a game from earlier this season, hit a solo home run to drive in the only run in Brevard County's 2-1 loss to the Palm Beach Cardinals, in the first game of Monday night's doubleheader at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) JUPITER, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees had their five-game winning streak snapped in the first game of Monday's doubleheader at Roger Dean Stadium to the Palm Beach Cardinals on a walk-off single. With the game tied 1-1 entering the bottom of the seventh, Brevard County (13-9 second half, 50-39 overall) reliever Tommy Toledo entered the game for his first appearance since June 25 and first since being activated from the disabled list. The Cardinals (14-9, 43-48) led off the frame with a single to center by Alex Mejia and then Adam Lewis advanced Mejia over to second on a sacrifice bunt. Anthony Garcia then came in to pinch hit for Ronny Gil, but he would be retired on a ground out for the second out of the inning. Colin Walsh would be the hero for Palm Beach as his single to right scored Mejia and handed the 'Tees their eighth loss in 25 games against South division opponents this season. Brevard County starting pitcher Brent Suter (7-5, 2.79 ERA) turned in yet another quality start as he allowed just one unearned run, which came in the first inning. Walsh led off the frame with a single and then moved to second as David Popkins reached on a throwing error by third baseman Brandon Macias. Walsh would then move to third on a fly out and then score on a ground out off the bat of Jonathan Rodriguez. Suter shut the Cards down the rest of the night as he went six innings total and allowed three hits, while walking two and striking out four. The Manatees scattered eight hits throughout the night but the biggest one game in the top of the third when Mitch Haniger hit a two-out, solo homer to left to tie the game up. Haniger went 2-for-3 on the night for his third consecutive two-hit game. Brevard County had a chance in the top of the sixth inning to take the lead as the reigning FSL Player of the Week, Nick Ramirez, led the frame off with a double down the right field line. Ramirez continued his hot hitting as he went 3-for-3 and is batting .459 (17-for-37) in his last ten games. Ramirez would then move to third after Cameron Garfield flew out to center. With the go-ahead run 90 feet away, the 'Tees were not able to capitalize though as back-to-back groundouts to the pitcher from Greg Hopkins and Macias ended the threat. Brevard County Box Score Brevard County Play-by-Play

Articles from the weekend reporting that the Blue Jays might have different plans for pairing up on a stadium project (with the Astros)... Nats Spring Training Site Still In Flux (Space Coast Daily) Washington Nationals Spring Training site still in flux with options dwindling (Full Article)