Manatees Earn Wild Walk-Off Win Over Miracle


Omar Garcia
Omar Garcia scores winning run
The Brevard County Manatees snapped a four-game losing streak in style Saturday night, beating the Fort Myers Miracle 2-1 and sending 4,280 Sea Cows fans home with a smile on their face. “It was a wild finish with a big crowd up there,” said Manatees manager Joe Ayrault. “Front office did a good job, nice fireworks after the game. It’s always nice to get a big win with a big crowd in the stands.”

Omar Garcia, who was added to the Brevard County roster earlier in the afternoon, walked to open the 10th and drew the attention of Miracle reliever Todd Van Steensel immediately. Van Steensel threw over to first numerous times, before he finally threw to the hitter, Elvis Rubio. Garcia got the attention of Van Steensel again, who threw over one too many times. He air-mailed the throw to first and Garcia with his speed, went all the way to third on the play.

Rubio had two strikes on him and swung at a ball. Miracle catcher Brian Olson couldn’t get a handle on it and Garcia raced home, tossing his helmet in the air, as he scored the winning run. “It was good to have him back,” said Ayrault of Garcia. “He had a couple hits and worked that big walk in the 10th.”

Garcia had a hand in the Manatees first run of the game in the third inning. Malik Collymore led off with a double against Fort Myers starter Randy Rosario. He went to third on a passed ball and rode home on a single to left. The Manatees looked poised to add on to their lead at various times, loading the bases in the sixth, two on in the seventh and second and third in the ninth. All of those opportunities were wasted.

That 1-0 lead held up well, due in large part to the pitching of Manatees starter Angel Ventura. He pitched six strong innings for the home team, allowing just two hits and walking only one. He struck out seven, lowering his ERA from 3.95 to 3.47 in the process. He threw 91 pitches, 58 for strikes.

“He’s been outstanding,” said Ayrault of his hurler. “His last few starts have been really good. “He’s made some adjustments I would say, since our game in Tampa and he’s really looked things in. He and Chavy (pitching coach Dave Chavarria) have done some good work and he’s much improved from Spring Training to now.”

Junior Rincon took over in the seventh and gave up one hit in his two innings of work, earning his second hold of the season. He struck out one and did not walk a batter. 15 of his 23 pitches went for strikes. 

Gage Smith followed Rincon, starting the ninth and that’s when things got interesting.
Smith gave up back-to-back singles to Nick Gordon and T.J. White, before getting Joe Maloney to ground into a double play. Maloney took exception to the call and got into a lengthy discussion with the field umpire before getting tossed. Nick Gordon went to third on the play and he would score moments later, on a wild pitch, tying the game at one and giving Smith his second blown save of the season.

“You can call it a blown save, but really tough luck for him,” Ayrault said. “It was a tough pitch and it got by, but he did an outstanding job, first and second nobody out, to get the big double play ball and then punched a guy out to get out of it with a guy at third.”

Smith (2-0) bounced back nicely, sending the Miracle down in order in the 10th, setting up Garcia’s game-winning trip around the bases in the bottom of the frame. “We just squeaked it out,” Ayrault said. “It’s funny that we won it the same way they tied it in the ninth. Definitely a wild one.”

For more info: Fort Myers @ Brevard County boxscore

Injury Update: First baseman Dustin DeMuth, fouled a ball off his knee in the fifth inning of the first game on Friday, is now listed as day-to-day. “We’re just being cautious with him, we’ll see how he is tomorrow,” said Ayrault.

Roster update: With the addition of Garcia to the roster, the Manatees needed to cut a player from their roster. In a rather unfortunate move, Taylor Brennan, who spent all of last season with the Manatees and was back again this year, was released from the Brewers organization.
“The worst things about my job -- being away from your family is tough, but having to release a guy is the other tough thing,” said Ayrault. “It’s a career-changer. Hopefully he catches on with somebody and continues his career. He’s a great guy, I love him and we’ll definitely miss him.”

With Saturday’s win, the Manatees salvaged one of the four games against the Miracle. They will now shift their attention to the Palm Beach Cardinals, who make their first visit to Space Coast Stadium on Sunday. Game time is set for 5:05 p.m.

This article originally appeared on the now defunct Examiner.com on 6/11/16


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