Ray Earns First Pro Hit in Loss to Dunedin


Corey Ray
The Brevard County Manatees went into Tuesday’s game with the Dunedin Blue Jays having won back-to-back contests, but they were unable to continue that streak, as the Blue Jays scored three runs in two separate innings, on their way to a 6-1 win at Space Coast Stadium.

Corey Ray, who made his professional debut with the Manatees on Monday, driving in the winning run in a 3-0 victory, earned another first on Tuesday, when he lined a single to left against Blue Jays reliever Jose Fernandez. “Definitely a highlight,” said Manatees manager Joe Ayrault. “I’ll doctor it up, do some writing on it for him, but pretty cool to see him get his first professional hit, first of many.”

Dunedin (9-4, 42-40) got on the board in the top of the second against Manatees starter Jon Perrin. After Ryan McBroom singled to lead things off and one out later, Andy Fermin singled. After recording the second out, Perrin hit Dickie Joe Thon to load the bases, bringing the ninth hitter in the order, Josh Almonte to the plate.

Perrin got him to a 3-2 count and after fouling off a couple more pitches, Almonte drove a double to left, clearing the bases. “That was a tough one for Perrin, ended up hitting Thon with an 0-2 pitch to load up the bases,” said Ayrault. “I don’t know how much it affected him, but it’s a momentum builder for Dunedin and the next pitch, the double clears the bases.”

Corey Ray
Corey Ray first hit
That would have been enough for Dunedin starter Justin Shafer, who lasted into the eighth inning, allowing only one run to the Manatees on four hits. He walked one and struck out two, throwing 90 pitches, 61 for strikes, in a very solid outing. He would get some insurance in the top of the sixth, when the D-Jays tallied three more times, again with two outs.

Perrin (1-6) got Ryan McBroom to ground out and Gunner Heidt went down swinging to start the frame. Fermin doubled to right and Michael De La Cruz walked, putting runners at first and second for Thon. He put a good swing on one that headed toward Clint Coulter in right. Coulter had trouble with it off the bat and got turned around, by the time he corrected, the ball hit off his glove, allowing two runs to score and Thon ended up at third. The play was rightfully scored a three-base error, but it extended the lead to 5-0. An RBI single by Almonte scored Thon with the sixth run. All three runs were unearned.

Perrin’s night was done after the Almonte single. Almonte had quite a night. He came in hitting .148 and went 3-for-4 with the double and four runs batted in. His average went up to .226 by the end of the night. On the other side, Perrin went 5.2 innings giving up seven hits and six runs (three earned). He walked two and struck out six, throwing 61 of his 91 pitches for strikes.

The Manatees (3-9, 26-54) got their only run of the night in the bottom of the inning. Blake Allemand walked with two outs and Dustin DeMuth singled, putting runners at first and second. Elvis Rubio followed with a single, closing the gap to 6-1.

Zach Hirsch
Zach Hirsch
Zach Hirsch took over for Perrin in the mound, getting the last out in the top of the sixth and went on to pitch two more innings, not allowing a hit. “He’s done a real good job for us this season,” said Ayrault of Hirsch. “Filling multiple roles, coming in long relief or coming in late, he’s done a real good job.”

Brad Kuntz came on to pitch the ninth for Brevard and did a solid job, allowing only one base knock. Offensively, Dustin DeMuth was the only Manatees’ player with two hits, he went 2-for-4. Ray, Rubio Pena and Jose Cuas had the other hits.

For more info: Dunedin @ Brevard County boxscore

The series will wrap up on Wednesday, with Bubba Derby (3-6, 5.54 ERA) scheduled to take the mound for the Manatees. Conor Fisk (2-2, 4.40 ERA) is the scheduled starter for Dunedin. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.

This article originally appeared on 27OutsBaseball.com on 7/5/16


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