Pankake powers Lakeland to Win Over Manatees

Bubba Derby

The Brevard County Manatees were on the disappointing end of a 2-1 score Saturday night at Space Coast Stadium. A second inning home run off the bat of Joey Pankake was the difference, in a fast-moving, exciting game, played in front of 2,535 Brevard County fans, in a time of 2:11.

Johnny Davis, who reached base four times in Friday night’s loss, should have reached four more times on Saturday, but was called out on a couple very close plays at first base. The first of those plays came leading off the bottom of the opening frame against Major League rehabber Angel Nesbitt, who was making his second appearance of the series. 

Davis appeared to hit the bag ahead of a throw from shortstop. He was called out and voiced his displeasure, as did Manatees manager Joe Ayrault, who did a good job of picking up the argument to make sure his player stayed in the game.

Nesbitt threw the first two innings before giving way to A.J. Ladwig (5-1), who came into the game with two wins against the Manatees already this season., beating them twice in a six-day span in April. He pitched well again Saturday, going five innings allowing four hits, one run and striking out five and walking one.

The Derby Day that got the most attention on Saturday was happening at Churchill Downs, but there was another Derby Day happening in Viera, FL as well, with Bubba Derby getting the start for the Manatees. With one out and a runner on in the second inning, he gave up a 447-foot big fly to Joey Pankake, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead. 

Derby bounced back nicely after the home run with his only other trouble spot being the fourth inning, which he did a great job getting out of. Mike Gerber started things with a leadoff double. Kristin Stewart would follow with a single and steal second. After striking out Scivicque, Derby would get Pankake to hit a ground ball to Jose Cuas at third, who alertly threw home to get Gerber. 

With runners at first and second, Derby would strike out Zach Shepherd to end the inning.

Brevard County (8-21) would get a run back in the bottom of the frame, with Davis getting a base hit and stealing second. Angel Ortega’s single moved Davis to third and he came home on a double play ball by George Iskenderian. The Manatees were done in by a double play twice on Saturday. 

Derby (2-1) deserved a better fate in his six innings of work. He allowed six hits, two earned runs, did not walk a batter and struck out four. Of his 66 pitches, 47 were strikes. “One mistake proved costly,” said Ayrault after the game. “Other than that, Derby threw the ball very well.”

Angel Ventura threw the ball well for Brevard County, going three innings in relief and striking out two batters in each of those innings. “He kept us in the game,” said Ayrault. “It was a good outing for him.” Ayrault also gave credit to his defense for their play behind his hurlers. "A lot of solid plays, especially by the infielders,” he said.

Adam Ravenelle pitched the eighth for the Flying Tigers (16-13) and threw nothing but gas. He threw one ball that was 90 MPH and that was a slider. The rest of his pitches were mid-to-high 90’s, with one touching 99 and another hitting 100 MPH. The Manatees had the top of the order due up in the bottom of the ninth against their closer Joe Jimenez. “The last two guys they threw out there, they’re big league pitchers with plus stuff,” said Ayrault.

That said, Davis looked to leg out another single to start that final inning. Unfortunately, it was not to be, as he was called out on a bang, bang play for the second time. As you might expect, that call did not sit well with Davis or Ayrault and the ensuing argument led to Ayrault’s ejection. “To me, it was plain as day, that’s why I ended up getting ejected,” said Ayrault. “That was a tough one, I thought he was safe and it would’ve started a rally for us. We have to get those breaks and that one, we didn’t get.”

Jimenez came back to get Ortega swinging, before giving up a single to Iskenderian. Dustin DeMuth was the last hope for the Manatees, but he went down on strikes to end the game.

For more info: Lakeland @ Brevard County boxscore

Definitely a tough one to swallow for the Manatees, who will have a day off Sunday before traveling to Daytona for a 7:00 p.m. first pitch on Monday. The team returns home Tuesday to continue their series against the Tortugas. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

This article originally appeared on the now defunct Examiner.com on 5/7/16