Manatees to host Damn Yankees night

The Brevard County Manatees come up with some very amusing promotions.

With the Tampa Yankees coming to Space Coast Stadium for a four game set starting on Wednesday, Brevard will be kicking off the festivities with Damn Yankees Night.

Damn Yankees were an American hard rock supergroup. The band was formed in 1989, consisting of Tommy Shaw of Styx, Jack Blades of Night Ranger, Ted Nugent of Amboy Dukes and his own solo career, and Michael Cartellone. Presumably inspired by the musical of the same name, Nugent once also explained that he coined the name because whenever someone asked him how he and Tommy Shaw would sound playing together, he would always reply by saying they would sound like "a bunch of damn Yankees." With Shaw from Alabama, Blades from California, Cartellone from Nebraska, and Nugent from Michigan, it did seem as if the band represented all four corners of the nation.

1990's chart-topping rock ballad "High Enough" featured a passionate duet between Shaw and Blades, backed by a string section in the studio. Backed by a popular video, it rose to #3 on U.S. Top 40, and #1 on AOR charts. Ironically, "High Enough" happened to be the first #1 pop single in Ted Nugent's career, despite the fact his career had been built on his "Motor City Madman" image.

How does the promo work? Any male that comes to the ticket office with hair longer than their shoulders will receive $2 off their ticket to the game. Wigs are acceptable. Shades are optional, but recommended, as you probably wouldn't want to be recognized in that wig.

Meanwhile, Space Coast Stadium has added a new video board that can be used for commercials, statitics, information and entertainment.

Brevard is currently in Clearwater and is 1-2 against the Threshers. Clearwater lost ace Antonio Bastardo to Reading this last week.

Tampa is currently hosting the Jupiter Hammerheads, and has won the three games they've played so far in the 4-game series. While the Manatees promotional mailing invites fans out to Spacecoast on Saturday to "see the 'Tees finish off the sweep of the Yanks," that might be a tall order for the East Division team.

Jupiter will play host to Clearwater then they return. The Marlins farm is 16-15 on the season, 4 games back from the Division leading Palm Beach Cardinels, while Clearwater is 11-20, still down in the cellar, and 7 games back in the West Division.

The Red Birds are currently facing the Reds in Sarasota, where they have won 2 of the three games played so far in Sarasota. They will host the Blue Jays when they return home on Wednesday for a four game set.

Dunedin is currently hosting Vero Beach, and has lost 2 of 3 to the Rays affliate. The Rays will host the Lakeland Flying Tigers when they return home. After a poor start, the Flying Tigers have won their last five and are part of the pack in the West, tied with Dunedin and Sarasota for 2nd place, 2 games back from the division leading Fort Myers Miracle and Tampa Yankees.

Lakeland has befitted from having the hapless St. Lucy Mets in, having won their last three by wide margins. Fort Myers should benefit from their East Divison swing as they take on Port Saint Lucie starting on Thursday. They have not faired so well against the Daytona Cubs, who had lost six coming in Sunday's game, including Saturday night to the Miracle. Sunday however, they broke the Miracle's home win streak and went on to win 9-1 on Monday. Daytona will host the Reds on Wednesday for a four game series.

Transactions: Tampa has added Anthony Claggett to their roster from Trenton, and Stephen Artz from Staten Island. Palm Beach added Brandon Garner, received from extended spring training. Aside from losing Bastardo to a high league, Clearwater also lost Carlos Monasterios to injury as he went on the disabled list on Thursday, May 1.

Current Standings:

FSL East
  Club           W  L  PCT  GB   Home  Away  L 10  Streak
 Palm Beach     20 11 .645   -  13- 4  7- 7   5-5    W1
 Brevard County 17 14 .548 3.0   9- 5  8- 9   5-5    L1
 Daytona        16 15 .516 4.0   6- 8 10- 7   4-6    W2
 Jupiter        16 15 .516 4.0  11- 3  5-12   4-6    L3
 Vero Beach     15 16 .484 5.0  11- 6  4-10   5-5    L1
 St. Lucie       7 24 .226 13.0  4-13  3-11   5-5    L3

FSL West
  Club           W  L  PCT  GB   Home  Away  L 10  Streak
 Fort Myers     18 13 .581   -  12- 5  6- 8   5-5    L2
 Tampa          18 13 .581   -  11- 6  7- 7   7-3    W5
 Dunedin        16 15 .516 2.0   7- 6  9- 9   4-6    W1
 Lakeland       16 15 .516 2.0   8- 5  8-10   7-3    W5
 Sarasota       16 15 .516 2.0   8- 6  8- 9   5-5    L1
 Clearwater     11 20 .355 7.0   9-10  2-10   4-6    W1

League Leaders - Batting:

Name          Team POS  G  AB  R  H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS  OBP  SLG  AVG  OPS
Chris Valaika  SAR  SS 31 130 19 49  9  0  7  31 79  7 25  1  0 .403 .608 .377 1.011
John Matulia   VER  OF 19  78 14 28  3  2  0   5 35  6  9  4  2 .412 .449 .359  .860
James Adduci   DAY  OF 31 117 20 41  7  2  0  14 52 21 23  2  2 .453 .444 .350  .898
Garrett Groce  VER  OF 22  83 17 29  7  1  1  12 41  4 15  3  3 .375 .494 .349  .869
Justin Turner  SAR  2B 26 107 18 37  7  1  0   8 46  9 12  2  1 .407 .430 .346  .837
Logan Morrison JUP  1B 30 111 12 38 11  0  3  18 58  8 17  1  0 .382 .523 .342  .905
Rene Tosoni    FTM  OF 28  95 18 32  6  1  0   9 40 13 25  3  4 .439 .421 .337  .860
Daryl Jones    PBC  OF 22  79  8 26  3  2  1   7 36  9 24  4  1 .411 .456 .329  .867
Brian Dopirak  DUN  1B 28 107 16 35  9  0  3  15 53 16 30  0  0 .415 .495 .327  .910
Cesar Suarez   VER  3B 31 127 11 41  4  0  2  19 51  4 10  6  0 .346 .402 .323  .747

League Leaders - Pitching:

Name             Team W L  ERA G GS CG SHO SV   IP  H  R ER HR HB BB SO WHIP HLD  GF
Eric Hacker       TAM 2 1 0.86 7  7  0   0  0 42.0 22  6  4  0  1  5 28 0.64   0   0
Antonio Bastardo  CLE 2 0 1.17 5  5  0   0  0 30.2 20  4  4  2  1 10 47 0.98   0   0
Jeremy Hellickson VER 3 0 1.29 6  6  0   0  0 35.0 28  6  5  1  3  2 46 0.86   0   0
Jordan Smith      SAR 5 1 1.52 7  7  0   0  0 47.1 41 11  8  1  2  5 31 0.97   0   0
Luis Marte        LAK 3 1 1.54 6  6  0   0  0 35.0 22  8  6  0  1 10 35 0.91   0   0
Jeff Allison      JUP 0 4 1.60 7  7  0   0  0 33.2 23 13  6  1  3 15 24 1.13   0   0
Jesse, Todd       PBC 3 0 1.65 7  4  0   0  1 27.1 18  7  5  0  1  7 35 0.91   1   1
Rick Porcello     LAK 2 4 1.98 7  7  0   0  0 36.1 25 13  8  1  4 12 22 1.02   0   0
Travis Wood       SAR 3 2 2.05 6  6  0   0  0 30.2 24  8  7  0  1 14 31 1.24   0   0
Kyle Winters      JUP 3 0 2.14 6  6  0   0  0 33.2 26  8  8  0  1 10 17 1.07   0   0

Jupiter's Sinkbeil sinks Beach Boys

(Photo courtesy Missouri State)

Waikiki 1 at North Shore 8

W: B. Sinkbeil (2-0, 1.13); L: J. Sullivan (0-2, 6.75); SV: S. Walker (1)
HR: None.

Who ever said Threshers and Manatees don't play nice together? In the Hawaiin Winter League, members of both teams are playing side by side on North Shore Honu.

The Hanu picked up a win Friday over the Waikiki Beach Boys, but it was neither a Manatee nor a Thresher that was the story of the game.

Rather, Jupiter Hammerhead's ace Brett Sinkbeil picked up his second win of the season, allowing only 1 run on 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 4 over 5 innings. He holds a stellar 1.13 ERA in Hawaii, having worked 16 innings in 4 games.

Waikiki's only run came in the fifth when Jermaine Mitchell (Oakland) reached on a fielding error by Lakeland Flying Tigers' shortstop Danny worth. Lucas Duda's (NY Mets) single moved him to second before Sinkbeil walked Oakland's Justin Sellars to load the bags. Mitchell would score on Sean McCraw's (NY Mets) force out, but Sinkbeil would then get Antoan Richardson (San Francisco) to strik out and Hector Pillot (NY Mets) to fly out to end the inning.

Steve Chapman (Milwaukee) walked with 2 outs in the 1st lead of North Shore's offense. Lou Santangelo (Houston) also drew a walk before Mat Gamel (Milwaukee) reached on a fielding error and Jamie Romak's (Pittsburgh) double served to bring all three in.

Shintaro Yoshida (F/A) singled his way onto base in the bottom of the second and was followed onto the bags by Michael Griffin (Cininnati) before Chris Valuika (Cincinnati) walked. Michael Champman's (Milwaukee) ground ball to right brought in Yoshida and Griffin, although Chapman would find himself out at 2nd as he tried to strech the single into a double. Santangelo's ground ball to left brought in Valaika before Mat Gamel (Milwaukee) would pop out to end the inning.

Hanu's production fell off after that though, and North Shore would not add the final 2 runs until the 8th inning. Gamel walked to lead off, but Jamie Romak (Pittsburgh) hit into a force out to nab him at 2nd. Dusty Ryan's (Detroit) walk pushed Romak to 2nd and Worth would push Romak over the plate when he reached on a throwing error by Waikiki's Sellers. Yoshida hit a sac fly to score Ryan, but Griffin would pop out to end the inning.

Milwaukee's Kevin Roberts pitched 1 inning of relief for North Shore, striking out 2 before Houston's Sean Walker came in to close the game, walking 2 and striking out 4 in 3 innings.

Colorado's Josh Sullivan suffered the loss, lasting only 3 innings and giving up 6 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits, and 3 walks while striking out 1. Kyohei Muranaka (F/A) finished off the game, both his runs were unearned. He gave up 1 hit, walked 2 and struck out 5 in 5 innings.

The two teams rematach Saturday at 6:30 PM Hawaiin Time,

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Clearwater takes 2007 FSL Title

Brevard County 2 at Clearwater 5

W: A. Carpenter (2-0, 2.92); L: B. Wright (1-1, 4.91); SV: R. Hill (1)
HR: BRE: C. Errecart (2), Y. Perez (1). CLE: B. Harman (2), B. Burgamy (1).

Clearwater took Phinley's advice to "Eat more Seacow", downing the Brevard County Manatees 5-2 to take home the Florida State League crown.

Brian Burgamy walked and Brad Harman homered in the first inning to put the Threshers on the board. Jason Donald would reach on a throwing error, moving over to 2nd. Jeremy Slayden's fly out moved him to 3rd and with 2 outs, Jake Blalock's single would plate him.

Chris Errecart put a Andrew Carpenter pitch over the center field wall for the Manatees in the 4th, but the Threshers came roaring back in the bottom of the inning with a Burgamy yarder out to right and a Harman double. Josh Wahpepah would be brought in to replace Brae Wright on the mound, but he'd allow a singles to Jason Donald and Jeremy Slayden that would give the Threshers yet another run.

Yohannis Perez went yard out to left field in the top of the 7th, but that was as close as the Manatees would get.

Carpenter worked 6.1 innings giving up both Manatees runs on 7 hits and 1 walk while striking out 8. Bear Hill would pick up the save allowing 2 hits and striking out 1 in 2.2 innings worth of work.

Wright took the loss for the Manatees, giving up 5 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 1.

Thus ends a long and somewhat convoluted year of FSL baseball. Congratulations to the Clearwater Threshers and to the Manatees who hung in there through both parts of the season. It was a battle well fought by both teams.

What will happen in 2008 still remains to be seen.

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Brevard takes win

Brevard County 5 at Clearwater 4

W: M. McClendon (1-0, 6.75); L: Z. Stott (0-1, 40.50); SV: K. Roberts (1)
HR: BRE: M. Gamel (2). CLE: J. Slayden (1).

If at first you don't succeed, try again. It seems to be the Manatees motto as they came back from the brink of elimination to snatch a game from the Threshers at Brighthouse Network Fields.

Lorenzo Cain drew a walk to start the game. Matt Gamel followed that up with a double off Zac Stott that scored the Manatees lead off man. Cole Gellespie flew out, followed by a Michael Bell ground out that scored Gamel. Chris Errecart started things off again with a single, and was followed onto base by Ned Yost and Freddy Parejo, who knocked a line drive out to right to score Errecart. That would finish things up for Stott, with Alex Coneception taking the mound to get Ryan Barba to ground out to end the inning.

The Thresher took one run back in the bottom of the inning when Jeremy Slayden doubled Brad Harman in.

But undaunted, the Manatees added two more points in the second inning when Nestor Corredor singled his way onto the bags, then was plated by Gamel's home run.

Brevard would see little after that, with Corredor getting as far as 3rd in the 4th inning and Cain doubling in the 7th. They just hung on and hoped and played defense, while the Threshers chipped away at their lead.

Jake Blalock's double in the bottom of the 3rd brought in Lou Marson. Slayden homered in the 5th, while 3 walks and a force out brought P.J. Antoniato home in the ninth. Brevard County's Kevin Roberts got Slayden to strike out swinging to end the game, leaving the Manatees alive for a little while longer.

Brevard County starter Mike McClendon (1-0) allowed three runs on seven hits, striking out five and walking three over five innings to pick up the win. Ben Stanczyk gave up a run on a hit and two walks, striking out one over 3 1/3 frames.

The two teams rematch tomorrow, and it will be Thresher ace Andrew Carpenter on the mound this time around.

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Clearwater capture wins

Clearwater 6 at Brevard County 4

W: W. Savage (1-0, 0.00); L: T. Wendte (0-1, 4.15)
HR: BRE: M. Bell (1).

It took 11 innings, but the Threshers took game 2 from the Brevard County Manatees, 6-4 and look to sweep the best-of-5 series when it returns to Clearwater tonight at 7:00 PM

Matt Thayer singled his way onto base off Brevard County's Travis Wendte and moved to 2nd on P.J. Antoniato's sac-bunt. Brian Burgamy walked before Brad Harmon doubled to bring in Thayer, breaking open a 4-4 tie. Jason Donald's ground ball to left brought in Burgamy for the insurance run.

It would then fall to William Savage who struck out 3 and walked 1 in four innings to end the game.

Harmon would go 3-for-6 in the game with 1 run and 2 RBIs for the Threshers, while Matt Thayer was 2-for-3 with 1 run and 2 walks and Clay Harris was 3-for-5 with 1 run and 1 RBI.

Brevard County managed only 4 runs on 4 hits, taking the early lead in the 3rd inning on a pair of doubles by Ned Yost and Cole Gillespie. Mike Bell belted a solo homer, his first of the playoffs, in the sixth.

The Manatees will have to beat Clearwater's ace, right-hander Andrew Carpenter, to avoid the sweep at Brighthouse Networks Field. Carpenter was 17-6 this season with a 3.20 ERA in 163 innings over 27 games including the perfect 7-inning game over the Miracle.

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Clearwater opens playoffs with win

Clearwater 8 at Brevard County 1

W: N. Johnson (1-0, 1.50); L: R. Lluberes (0-1, 7.20)
HR: CLE: J. Blalock (1), B. Harman (1). BRE: M. Gamel (1).

Nate Johnson held the Manatees to 1 run on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4 in six innings worth of work to help Clearwater thresh out a win over Brevard County in game one of the Florida State League finals series.

A Jake Blalock home run and doubles by Jeremy Slayden and Clay Harris led to a 5 run fifth inning for the Threshers. Harris also scored in the 7th while Brad Harman put one over the left field wall in the ninth to score Brian Burgamy.

The Manatees only run came when Mat Gamel launched one over the right field fence in the bottom of the sixth.

The two teams rematch Sunday at Spacecoast Stadium at 7:00 PM EST.

Burgamy was 3-for-4 for the Threshers, Blalock was 3-for-5 with 3 RBIs while Harman and Harris were both 2-for-5 for the Clearwater team who pounded out 16 hits in the game.

Cory Willey struck out 5 in 2 innings of relief work, while Brett Harker pitched the ninth for West Division champions.

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Clearwater, Brevard post wins

St. Lucie 2 at Brevard County 13

W: B. Wright (1-0, 2.35); L: E. Brown (0-1, 15.43)
HR: BRE: C. Gillespie (1).

First Half East Division Champion Brevard County progressed to the Florida State League finals, putting a 13-2 hurting on the St. Lucie Mets.

Cole Gillespie hit a home run in the first inning to put the Manatees on the board. Nestor Corredor reached on a fielding error in the 3rd and Lorenzo Cain walked. A Mat Gamel single scored the first runner, Cain was taken out on home on a fielder's choice that put Gillespie on base. Singles by Mike Bell and Yohannis Perez, mixed in with a Chris Errecart triple put the Manatees on top 6-0.

An Errecart double and a Perez single in the 7th extended the Manatees lead.

A Nick Evans double and a Dan Murphy single put St. Lucie on the board in top of the 8th, but the game was already out of reach. The Manatees tacked on another 5 runs in the bottom of the inning.

Brae Wright allowed only 2 hits on 8 hits and 1 walk in 7.2 innings while striking out 3. Patrick Ryan finish up on the mound for Brevard County. The Mets farm team threw 7 different pitchers at the Manatees, with Eric Brown suffering the loss for St. Lucie.

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Clearwater 3 at Sarasota 2

W: A. Carpenter (1-0, 3.00); L: D. Thompson (0-1, 3.60); SV: W. Savage (1)
HR: None.

Andrew Carpenter did not throw another perfect game, but the Threshers ace was effective Thursday night against Sarasota as the Threshers tied up the West Division Championship series at one game each.

A Tony Gutierrez walk and a Jeramiah Piepkorn single put the Reds on the board in the bottom of the second. A Lou Marson double helped the Threshers put 2 runners over the plate in the 4th to give the Phillies farm team the lead.

Marson's double in 6th scored Jeremy Slayden for an insurance run, which would be needed as a Cody Strait single, a stolen base and Gutierrez ground ball would give the Reds another run.

Carpenter picked up the win allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 2 in 6 innings. Darryl Thompson took the loss the for the Reds, allowing 2 runs, 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 4 through 5.

The final game of the series is Friday night at Ed Smith Stadium, with the win progressing to face the Manatees.

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Manatees bounce back

St. Lucie 6 at Brevard County 7

W: K. Roberts (1-0, 0.00); L: J. Hietpas (0-1, 7.71)
HR: BRE: C. Errecart (1).

Brevard County rallied back at Spacecoast Stadium to tie the Eastern Divsion finals at one game each with the St. Lucie Mets. Lorenzo Cain was hit by a pitch to force in a run, tying the game. Mat Gamel then singled in Fredy Parejo to put the Manatees on top.

St. Lucie let through most of the game. An Ender Chavez line drive brought in Dan Murphy to put the Mets on the board in the second. Brevard tied it up in the bottom of the fourth when Gamel reached on a fielding error by Nick Evans, stole second and was plated by Chris Errecart's fly out.

A pair of doubles by Evans and Sean McCraw led to 5 Mets runs that chased Manatees starter Mike McClendon from the mound. The Manatees got back into the game though when Errecart's homer scored 3.

Kevin Roberts picked up the win, allowing 1 hit and walking 2 while striking out 5 in 2.2 innings worth of work. Joe Hietpas suffered the loss and a blown save for St. Lucie.

The final game of the series will be played Thursday night at Spacecoast Stadium.

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Wednesday's game FSL West Division Finals game between the Clearwater Threshers and the Sarasota Reds at Ed Smith Stadium was postponed due to rain. It will played Thursday, September 6 at 7:00 PM. The Reds lead the best-of-three series, 1-0.

Sarasota, St. Lucie take early FSL playoff leads

Sarasota 2 at Clearwater 0

W: B. Jukich (1-0, 0.00); L: A. Cruse (0-1, 3.00); SV: D. Lutz (1)

HR: SAR: C. Strait (1).

Sarasota ace Ben Jukich blanked the Clearwater Threshers for 7 innings at Bright House Networks Field and Cody Strait put a home run ball over the left field fence to lead the Reds to victory in game one of the West Division finals.

Jukich walked 2 and stuck out 5 before giving way to Sean Watson and Derrik Lutz who finished out the game. Clearwater only managed 2 hits agains the Reds staff.

Andrew Cruse took the loss for the Threshers, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 4 in 6 innings worth of work.

Strait's yarder came at the top of 4th inning for the Reds. Chris Valaika also scored a run in the top of the 5th off Eric Eymann's sac-fly.

Ron "Bear" Hill finished off the game for the Threshers, allowing 1 hit and striking out 3 in 3 innings. Jason Donald and Matt Thayer were the only Threshers to record hits.

The series now travels to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota for games 2 on Wednesday. Zac Stott will take the start for Clearwater. The Reds will counter with Daryl Thompson.

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Brevard County 0 at St. Lucie 8

W: J. Niese (1-0, 0.00); L: D. Welch (0-1, 3.38)
HR: None.

In the East Division finals, the St. Lucie Mets pounded out 8 runs on 12 hits, pasting the Brevard County Manatees.

Jonathan Niese allowed only 1 hit and walked 2 through six innings while striking out 9. Cole Gillespie tripled in the top of the 4th with 2 outs for the Tees, but Chris Errecart struck out swinging to preserve Neise's no hitter.

Victor Mendez scored in the bottom of the 3rd off a Hector Pellot single give the Mets the only run they would need, but there would be plenty of insurance, as the Mets scored consistently in through the next four innings.

Mendez was 2-for-3 with 1 run and 2 RBIs while Nick Evans was 2-for-4 with 2 runs and 1 RBI to lead the Mets. Catcher Sean McCraw and right fielder Ambiorix Conception were also 2-for-4 for the Mets, Conception with a run and an rbi in the contest. Pillot was 2-for-5 with 1 run and 1 RBI in the friendly confines of Tradition Field.

Gillespie was 2-for-3 for Brevard County; Darren Ford and Yohannis Perez had the other 2 hits for the Manatees.

David Welch suffered the loss, allowing 5 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3 in 5.1 innings.

The two teams meet tonight in Melbourne for game 2, with Mike McClendon taking to the Spacecoast Stadium mound for the home team, while St Lucie will send right hander Eric Brown.

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