Manatees walk off

[DAYTONA BEACH, FL] For the second time in three games, Daytona landed in a pitcher’s duel. Cub starter Hung-Wen Chen and Manatee starter Bobby Bramhall both came to the ballpark with too much good stuff for the batters. The proof is in the facts, as neither starter allowed a run, and each pitched six innings. The Manatees won the battle of the bullpens, 1-0 on a walk off homerun by Charlie Fermaint in the bottom of the ninth.

Bramhall was flat out nasty in this ballgame, facing the minimum through the first five innings. Jonathan Mota singled in the first, but was doubled off on a line out off the bat of Ty Wright. Jim Adduci singled with one out in the fourth, but he was picked off. An error by shortstop Brent Brewer allowed Yusuf Carter to reach base. Carter ended up stranded at third, thus ended Bramhall’s streak.

Chen allowed a few early base runners, but then began a thirteen consecutive batters retired streak that started with the final out in the second inning and ended with the final out of the sixth inning, after which, Chen was pulled in favor of Todd Blackford. Blackford came on to retire four straight, giving the team a seventeen consecutive batters retired streak. Kenny Holmberg singled with one out in the eighth inning to finally get a man on base for Brevard County.

The Cubs offense had their best chance to score in the top of the eighth. With one out, Carter smacked a double to right centerfield. With Robinson Chirinos batting, Carter stole third. Chirinos drew a walk, putting runners on the corners. Then, with Manatees reliever Derrick Ellison throwing to first to check on Chirinos, Carter broke for home and was subsequently thrown out. But the Cubs kept the pressure on. Darwin Barney singled, then Mota walked, and the bases were loaded for Jim Adduci. Adduci struck out on a called strike three on the outside corner and Daytona left the bases loaded.

The end of the game was short and simple. Leading off the ninth against newly inserted Daytona reliever Jayson Ruhlman, Charlie Fermaint hit a walk off solo homerun to left field. That was all the Manatees needed in this game, the final score, 1-0.

The Cubs return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark to conclude their series against Brevard County beginning at 7:05pm on Monday. Catch the broadcast on 1380 WELE at 6:45pm or right here on www.daytonacubs.com. For ticket information call 386-257-3172 or visit www.daytonacubs.com.