Ponce Shuts Out Palm Beach

Cody Ponce
Cody Ponce

Cody Ponce continued his impressive run of good pitching on Wednesday, as he led the Brevard County Manatees to a 1-0 win over the Palm Beach Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. The win was the third in a row for the Manatees and they took the series, three games to one.

Ponce gave up five hits, pitching one batter into the sixth inning. A walk to Michael Pritchard started that inning and ended the night for Ponce. He earned his second win of the season, giving up five hits, walking three and striking out four. He threw 55 of his 87 pitches for strikes Wednesday and has now had four straight starts of at least five innings. Ponce has 24 strikeouts over that span.

Palm Beach had baserunners against Ponce in all five six innings, including two hits in the third inning, but he was helped by his defense and made the right pitches when needed. The Cardinals had their chances, but went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left a total of 11 men on base.

Brevard County got the only run they would need in the top of the third against Palm Beach starter Austin Gomber. The tandem of Corey Ray and Wendell Rijo at the top of the Manatees lineup has been clicking of late and they clicked again Wednesday. With two outs in the inning, Ray tripled to right field and Rijo plated him, with a single to center.

Gomber (6-7) probably deserved a better fate and on many nights, a complete game that includes eight strikeouts and not a single walk, would have certainly resulted in a win. Unfortunately, that was not the end result. He held the Manatees to six hits, but in the end, it earned him a loss.

The Cardinals threatened in the fifth. Oscar Mercado singled and was sacrificed to second on a bunt by Vaughn Bryan. Ponce struck out the next batter, Andrew Brodbeck, but a wild pitch on the third strike moved Bryan to third and Brodbeck was safe at first. After Cole Lankford struck out, Brodbeck stole second. Ponce was then able to get Casey Grayson to ground out, ending the inning.

Jon Olczak followed Ponce to the mound and did not allow a hit in his 1.1 innings of work. He walked one and struck out one. Brad Kuntz gave up one hit over his 1.2 innings of relief and Preston Gainey earned a four out save, walking one and striking out one.

For more info: Brevard County @ Palm Beach Boxscore

The Manatees will look to continue their winning ways Thursday, when they travel to Port Charlotte to take on the Stone Crabs. Brevard County has not named their starter for the game, but Kodi Medeiros would be the most likely candidate. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on 27OutsBaseball.com on 7/20/16

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