WV Brew

Ortega's Masterpiece Earns Manatees Series Split By Jerry Durney / Brevard County Manatees 05/30/2015 2:27 AM ET http://www.milb.com/assets/images/5/6/8/127527568/cuts/IMG_9853_lyvwr3ul_2k88bmd6.JPG Jorge Ortega, seen above, tossed his third complete game of the year in Friday's win. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) Viera, Fla. - Jorge Ortega has delivered just about every time he's taken the mound this season for the Brevard County Manatees (20-27) and Friday night may have been his best performance of the season, throwing a complete game in a 3-1 win over the Charlotte Stone Crabs (32-16) at Space Coast Stadium to help the Manatees earn a split of the four game series with the league leaders. The Manatees would provide Ortega all the run support he would need in the bottom of the fourth inning. The rally started with a one-out single by Jonathan Lucroy deep in the hole at shortstop. After Clint Coulter flew out, Victor Roache launched a pitch from Stone Crab reliever Eduar Quinonez over the batters' eye in centerfield for a two-run homer to give the 'Tees the lead. The home run, which traveled an estimated 439 feet, was his ninth of the season which tied him with Coulter for the league in that category as well as RBI with 30. Brevard County would tack on one more in the inning when Taylor Brennan drew a walk following the home run. Brennan then stole second with Garrett Cooper at the plate. Shortly after the steal, Cooper hit one back up the middle that would deflect off of the bag at second and into right center, allowing Brennan to come around and make it 3-0. The Stone Crabs' one true threat in the ballgame came in the top of the eighth which started with a double to left center by Braxton Lee. After a foul out to first by Dayron Varona, Ortega got Kean Wong to tap one back to the mound and then caught Lee hung up between second and third, initiating a rundown involving Brennan and Angel Ortega, which eventually ended with Brennan tagging out Lee before he could get back to second. That brought Willy Adames to the plate, and he would be the one to get Charlotte on the board as he ripped a double to the wall in right center, bringing Wong all the way around from first. The danger would end there as Ortega coaxed a flyout to center from Jake Bauers. Ortega finished with an exclamation point as he struck out Maxx Tissenbaum to retire the side in order in the ninth for his league-leading third complete game of the season. For the evening, Ortega gave up just that one run on 7 hits, striking out four and walking none, his third straight start without issuing a free pass. The gem is made all the more impressive by the fact that he did it on 96 pitches, 78 of which went for strikes. Lucroy went one-for-four at the plate with two groundouts and a flyout to the gap in right center. He's expected to play behind the plate Saturday night. Stone Crabs starting pitcher Taylor Guerrieri was lifted after three innings and 35 pitches as he continues to recover following Tommy John Surgery. However, he was dominant while on the mound, retiring all nine hitters he faced, five via strikeout. The Manatees return to North Division play on Saturday night as they begin a three-game series with the Lakeland Flying Tigers. RHP Eric Marzec (0-2, 5.40 ERA) gets the ball against RHP Jonathan Maciel (2-4, 5.21 ERA) at 6:35 P.M. Brevard County Box Score I took a note during the game that Jorge Ortega through 4 innings had thrown 43 pitches, 37 for strikes. His control is incredible. On a sour note, since being hit in the head by a pitch yesterday, Chris McFarland has made 3 errors in the field and took a golden sombrero in today's game. Hopefully not related. Roache now tied for the league RBI lead (with Coulter) and HR lead (with Clint and Phillip Ervin of Daytona). Brevard County Game Log

Yep. Another gem from Jorge Ortega. Manatees win 3-1. 96 pitch complete game, 79 for strikes. He is really off the charts with command. Doesn't really have overpowering stuff. Will have the link report later.

Okay, Jonathan Lucroy interview going on now at Manatees link above. He pretty much repeated what was in yesterday's game interviews. Said the toe was "serviceable".

Good lord it's hopeless. Just drop out of World Cup already. Don't keep enriching these clowns. If the US and UK drop out, it will go a long way toward getting them where they live. In the pocketbook.

Good bye and good riddance to Sepp Blatter. He can't get re-elected now can he?

Salas, Seidenberger Silence Stone Crabs in Shutout By Jerry Durney / Brevard County Manatees 05/28/2015 11:37 PM ET http://www.milb.com/assets/images/3/2/0/127279320/cuts/IMG_9679_3hkxheui_r8yrbzhb.JPG Jonathan Lucroy, pictured above, went 1-for-3 with a single in Thursday's win. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) Viera, Fla. - On a night when a Major League All-Star was on their side, it took a Major League caliber effort from the pitching staff for the Brevard County Manatees (19-27) to get their first win in their series with the Charlotte Stone Crabs (32-15) on Thursday night, 2-0. The deciding run came in the first inning, which was jumpstarted by a leadoff walk to Chris McFarland. The rehabbing Jonathan Lucroy followed with a single in the hole between first and second base to move McFarland up a base. After Clint Coulter and Victor Roache popped up, Taylor Brennan slapped a base hit to center to bring McFarland around to score, a lead the Manatees would not relinquish despite numerous perils. The Stone Crabs repeatedly threatened to tie the game but could not break Javi Salas down. Deadlock loomed in the top of the sixth as the inning started with a McFarland error that allowed Jake Bauers to reach. After Granden Goetzman popped out, Alec Sole grounded into a fielder's choice with the Manatees electing to force Bauers out at second. Salas had appeared to work out of the frame when Armand Araiza chopped a ball to third but Brennan couldn't handle it, giving Charlotte runners at the corners. Salas recovered to strike out Yoel Araujo to keep the 'Tees in the lead. On a night when they would leave 13 runners on base, Brevard County would get a valuable insurance run in the bottom of the seventh, which started with a single to center by Roache. He would move to second on a Brennan groundout to short and then score on a base hit that Garrett Cooper scorched past Bauers at first into rightfield. Charlotte's last threat would come the following inning as Goetzman led off with a single to center against Manatee reliever Tristan Archer. It appeared he had dodged troubled when he struck out Sole, got Araiza to pop out and then induced a grounder towards second by Araujo. However, as Angel Ortega fielded the ball, he decided to try to beat Goetzman to the second base bag but he was late. Manager Joe Ayrault decided to bring in Trevor Seidenberger to get the final four outs. It did not start well as he walked Braxton Lee. The Manatees did manage to hang on to the lead as Seidenberger got Dayron Varona to ground out to short to end the top of the eighth. The ninth inning would go much smoother as he set the Stone Crabs down in order. Lucroy for the night went one-for-three at the plate and caught five innings. "I felt fine, just a little rusty," Lucroy said. "I missed some pitches I should have hit, but that is part of getting your timing back and seeing the ball again, seeing velocity." He also made a terrific play in the second inning with a quick leap from behind the plate on a bunt attempt by Araujo and threw a strike to third to erase Sole. "Sometimes you get a bunt right out front and I have to get that. I just have to react and make a play. Got the lead runner which was important to keep that run off the board." Brevard County were buoyed by another excellent effort by Salas. At night's end, Salas threw six shutout innings, surrendering six hits, striking out five and walking two. Offensively, Roache, Brennan, Cooper and Omar Garcia all logged multi-hit games. The Manatees will look to earn a series split in the finale at 6:35 P.M. on Friday night at Space Coast Stadium. RHP Jorge Ortega (3-4, 2.21 ERA) will get the start against Taylor Guerrieri (0-0, 1.59 ERA). Brevard County Box Score The Stone Crabs have been a dominant team in the FSL this year. They entered today's game with a 2.15 team ERA. Javier Salas with another good game. 6 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K, 9/0 GO/FO. Trevor Seidenberger got a 4 out save. Chris McFarland took a pitch to the head but stayed in the game and seemed to be all right although he then had a couple of errors. Victor Roache got some tips from Jonathan Lucroy in BP and then went 2-4 with no strike outs. Brevard County Game Log

Lucroy went 5 innings going 1-3 and throwing out a man at third on an attempted sacrifice bunt. He will DH in tomorrow's game.

On Manatees' broadcast they are saying that Biloxi will now be ready for the target date despite what they announced yesterday.

Lucroy singles in his first at bat.

Lucroy starting at catcher for the Manatees. Jerry is hoping to get Lucroy on the pregame for tomorrow's game.

Melvin has certainly made his share of mistakes. Let's not forget though what a difficult job this is. Only Harry Dalton has a better winning percentage as GM than Doug. Marvin Milkes 40% Frank Lane 42% Jim Wilson 46% Jim Baumer 41% Harry Dalton 52% Sal Bando 48% Dean Taylor 42% Doug Melvin 49% It's hard to win as a Brewers' GM. Melvin has probably been better than most and it's hardly a sure thing that a replacement would be better.

Well, Biloxi plays most days and we have the draft coming up next week!

Late Brevard County Rally Falls Just Short Faria Leads Stone Crabs to 3-2 victory over Manatees Brevard County Manatees 05/27/2015 10:53 PM ET http://www.milb.com/assets/images/5/8/0/123834580/cuts/IMG_3296_bady9xrs_2hvkjajs.JPG Garrett Cooper, seen above, collected two hits and an RBI in Wednesday night's loss. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) Viera, Fla. - Jacob Faria dominated over seven shutout innings as the Charlotte Stone Crabs (32-14) defeated the Brevard County Manatees (18-27) on Wednesday night at Space Coast Stadium. Faria (8-1, 1.35 ERA) blanked the Manatees over seven strong innings to earn his eighth win of the year. Faria allowed just four hits and one walk. He fanned six in the win. The Stone Crabs opened the scoring in the fourth inning with a pair of runs. Willy Adames, Jake Bauers and Granden Goetzman singled consecutively to load the bases with nobody out. After a force out at the plate, Pat Blair singled on a liner to left to score Bauers. Yoel Araujo then lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to plate Goetzman. The Stone Crabs led 2-0 after four innings. Brandon Woodruff (1-2, 4.20 ERA) left the game after six innings. He surrendered two runs on six hits and one walk. He struck out two. Tyler Spurlin pitched a scoreless seventh and allowed just a single before he induced a double play. The Stone Crabs added to the lead in the eighth against Manny Barreda. Adames smacked a one-out double to left-center. With Bauers batting, Paul Eshleman tried to catch Adames off of second with a snap throw, but the throw was off target and allowed Adames to move to third. With the infield in, Bauers blooped a single over the head of second baseman Chris McFarland and gave Charlotte a 3-0 lead. Mark Williams pitched a perfect top half of the ninth with two strikeouts to keep the deficit at three. The Brevard County bats came alive in the bottom of the ninth. Clint Coulter walked with one out and advanced to third on defensive indifference and a wild pitch. After Victor Roache struck out, Taylor Brennan walked to bring the tying run to the plate. Garrett Cooper singled home Coulter on a liner to center to put the Manatees on the board. Jose Pena then singled to right field. Brennan scored from second and Cooper advanced to second. The Manatees trailed 3-2 with the tying run in scoring position and the winning run at first. Steven Halcomb came off of the bench to pinch run for Cooper. Brad Schreiber induced a ground out off of the bat of Paul Eshleman to end the threat and the game. Schreiber recorded his league-leading 11th save in the process despite the two runs allowed. Schreiber had surrendered two earned runs all season entering Wednesday. The Manatees and Stone Crabs will continue the series tomorrow night in Viera. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. RHP Javi Salas (3-3, 2.61 ERA) will start for Brevard County. RHP German Marquez will toe the rubber for Charlotte. Brevard County Box Score Brevard County Game Log

Charlotte 7, Brevard County 3 I haven't seen a story on this game yet. Wei-Chung Wang had another rough outing giving up 6 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings. His ERA is now up to 6.39. Clint Coulter and Victor Roache were collectively 0-8 and were the only 2 players in the lineup who failed to reach base. Chris McFarland, Jose Pena and Angel Ortega had 2 hit games. The 3 run Manatee 7th was marred by another baserunning blunder: Brevard County Bottom of the 7th Pitching Change: Jordan Harrison replaces Chris Kirsch. Jose Pena singles on a line drive to center fielder Dayron Varona. Cameron Garfield grounds out, third baseman Pat Blair to first baseman Jake Bauers. Jose Pena to 2nd. Angel Ortega singles on a ground ball to second baseman Kean Wong. Jose Pena to 3rd. Omar Garcia singles on a line drive to right fielder Yoel Araujo. Jose Pena scores. Angel Ortega to 3rd. With Christopher McFarland batting, Angel Ortega scores on a balk. Omar Garcia advances to 2nd on a balk. Christopher McFarland singles on a line drive to center fielder Dayron Varona. Omar Garcia scores. Christopher McFarland out at 2nd on the throw, center fielder Dayron Varona to first baseman Jake Bauers to shortstop Willy Adames. Clint Coulter flies out to center fielder Dayron Varona. Brevard County Box Score Brevard County Game Log

Lucroy will be the 4th catcher on the Manatees unless a roster move is made elsewhere. Manatees really struggling with hitting lately. Coulter all the way down to .837 OPS and Roache .846. Still they are 5th out of 12 teams in team OPS so other teams are also struggling as the weather gets hotter. Pitching is another item. It seems that with Ortega and Salas off to good starts and some of the bullpen stellar, that they are okay. Manatees though are 9th out of 12 in team ERA. 11 out of 12 in strikeouts and 8th in WHIP. So the pitching is really struggling more than the hitting relative to the league.

Mark Rogers. Just never could stay healthy.

I remember that but you would still expect a few more. At least I would.

Tyrone Taylor 3 for 3 today but where are all those doubles from last year? Arcia also with 3 for 3. Wisconsin Generals doing what they do.

Hopefully, Jeffress will get suspended too. He is still on a pace to appear in 86 games this year. I don't think he will make it. It has been slightly better under Counsell though. Smith on pace for 76 appearances.

Slegers Tosses Shutout Against Manatees in Series Finale Manatees Held to Three Hits in Loss By Dave Walkovic / Brevard County Manatees 05/24/2015 6:40 PM ET Fort Myers, Fla. - Aaron Slegers threw a complete game shutout as the Fort Myers Miracle (22-22) defeated the Brevard County Manatees (18-25) 4-0 on Sunday at CenturyLink Sports Complex. Slegers (3-2, 2.59 ERA) surrendered just three hits and no walks in first career complete game shutout. He hit two batters and struck out a season-high nine batters. The Manatees did not have a runner reach third the entire game. Fort Myers opened the scoring against Eric Marzec (0-2, 5.40 ERA) in the second inning. With one out, Nico Goodrum walked and stole second. Two batters later, Marcus Knecht singled home Goodrum and gave the Miracle a 1-0 lead. The Miracle added to the lead in the third. After back-to-back singles by Tanner Vavra and Zach Granite, Ryan Walker executed a sacrifice bunt. Alex Swim promptly drilled a two-run single up the middle. Marzec lasted six innings. He allowed three runs on four hits and a walk. He struck out four. Fort Myers added an insurance run in the eighth on a throwing error by Rafael Neda. Clint Terry tossed two innings of relief. He gave up just the unearned run in the eighth. Brevard County was held to just three hits. Neda, Garrett Cooper and Victor Roache each recorded singles. Omar Garcia stole a pair of bases. He is now tied for the league-lead with 17 on the season. The Manatees will enjoy a league wide off day tomorrow for Memorial Day. Brevard County returns home on Tuesday to open a four-game series against the Charlotte Stone Crabs. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. LHP Wei-Chung Wang (2-1, 5.82 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Manatees. Brevard County Box Score The hitting has disappeared. Pretty much anybody is shutting down the Manatees now. Next series against Charlotte which has been the dominant team in the FSL. Brevard County Game Log

Haudricourt JS Article Mentions Whitley and Plummer as being associated with the Brewers.

Stewart Leads Miracle to 3-1 Victory Manatees Held to Five Hits in Loss By Dave Walkovic / Brevard County Manatees 05/23/2015 11:03 PM ET http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/7/0/121863170/cuts/SM2_1672a_XL_zp906qhc_qgc4c8jd.jpg Jorge Ortega, seen here from a game earlier this season, did not allow an earned run in five innings, but took the loss on Saturday. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) Fort Myers, Fla. - Kohl Stewart dominated over seven innings as the Fort Myers Miracle (21-22) defeated the Brevard County Manatees (18-24) 3-1 on Saturday at CenturyLink Sports Complex. Stewart (1-3, 2.60 ERA) earned his first win of the season after he allowed just one run on five hits over seven brilliant innings. He did not walk a batter and fanned four. The Manatees took the initial lead in the top of the second inning. With two outs, Garrett Cooper lined a double to left. Cameron Garfield then singled to right to score Cooper and give Brevard County a 1-0 lead. The Miracle responded immediately in the bottom of the frame. Chad Christensen reached on a fielding error by Steven Halcomb with no outs. Two batters later, starting pitcher Jorge Ortega threw a pickoff attempt away that advanced Christensen to second. Bryan Haar then singled to left to tie the game. Fort Myers took the lead for good in the fourth. With one out, Christensen reached on an error by Angel Ortega. After a fly out, Haar doubled to left. Christensen beat the relay throw home to give the Miracle the lead. Haar moved up to third on the throw. Ortega (3-4, 2.21 ERA) then committed a balk to plate Haar and extend the Miracle lead to two runs. Ortega lasted five innings and surrendered three runs, none of which were earned, on three hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out two. Tristan Archer threw three scoreless innings of relief. He struck out four and lowered his ERA to 2.70 on the season. The Manatees were held to just five hits in the loss, including two over the final six innings. J.T. Chargois recorded a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his fourth save of the year. The two clubs will conclude the four-game series tomorrow in Fort Myers. RHP Eric Marzec (0-1, 6.75 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Manatees. The Miracle will send RHP Aaron Slegers (2-2, 3.18 ERA) to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. Brevard County Box Score Jorge Ortega only went 5 innings, giving up 3 hits and no walks. All 3 runs were unearned. As expected, the Manatees didn't do much against Kohl Stewart. Brevard County Game Log

Manatees are starting off in a rain delay. Looks like it should be brief but who knows? Sun out they should be starting shortly. (Now saying 6:30 start ET) Kohl Stewart going for the Miracle. He is the #6 Twins prospect according to MLB. Manatees have struggled in this series against lesser pitchers.

Salas Dominates in 2-1 Win Over Miracle Salas Throws Gem to Earn Third Victory of Season By Dave Walkovic / Brevard County Manatees 05/22/2015 11:01 PM ET http://www.milb.com/assets/images/5/5/0/121645550/cuts/IMG_3176_1fns03sk_y8swfq0u.JPG Brevard County starter Javi Salas, seen here from a game from earlier this season, recorded his third win of the season on Friday. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) Fort Myers, Fla. - Javi Salas dominated as the Brevard County Manatees (18-23) defeated the Fort Myers Miracle (20-22) 2-1 on Friday night at CenturyLink Sports Complex. Salas (3-3, 2.61 ERA) threw seven strong innings to earn the win. He allowed just one run on six hits and fanned five. The Manatees struck early with a run in the first inning. Omar Garcia, who was hitting in the leadoff spot for the first time all year, singled up the middle. Chris McFarland then dropped down a bunt that resulted in a single. Garcia moved to second to put two on with nobody out. With Clint Coulter at the plate, Garcia and McFarland executed a double steal. Coulter grounded into a fielder's choice to first that scored Garcia. It was Coulter's 30th RBI of the season. The Miracle tied the game in the third with two outs. Jason Kanzler dropped down a bunt single. Kanzler then stole second. Alex Swim doubled to left to tie the score. Brevard County regained the lead in the sixth inning. Victor Roache led things off with a walk. Two batters later, Garrett Cooper singled to left. Roache moved to third on the play. Jose Pena bounced into a fielder's choice to third, but scored Roache in the process. The Manatees led, 2-1. Trevor Seidenberger came on in the ninth and retired the side in order to record his third save of the season. Brian Gilbert (1-2, 2.53 ERA) was hit with the loss. He allowed a run on one hit and two walks in three innings. Manny Barreda pitched a scoreless eighth inning in his Brevard County debut. He only allowed a two-out walk. The victory marked the first win in Fort Myers for the Manatees since June 4, 2013. The series will continue in Fort Myers tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. RHP Jorge Ortega (3-3, 2.44 ERA) will get the start for the Manatees. The Miracle will send 2013 first-round pick RHP Kohl Stewart to the bump. Brevard County Box Score Javi Salas continues a strong season: 7 IP, 6 H, 0 BB, 6 K, 9/4 GO/FO, Manny Barreda with a nice first outing and Trevor Seidenberger continues to dominate. Chris McFarland and Angel Ortega with 2 hit games. Brevard County Game Log

Johnny Davis is having knee surgery and is out for the year. Ratterree has, I think, a broken wrist. Not sure when or if he will be back this year.