Kevin Walter made his third start of the season and recorded his second win with 5 solid innings against the Brevard County Manatees.  The Threshers used a four run fourth inning to erase an early deficit, and the bullpen kept the Manatees at bay to post a 6-2 victory.

Brevard County is an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.  They boast 7 of the Brewers’ top 20 prospects.  Their line up includes #1 Tyrone Taylor (2012, 2nd round, 92nd overall), #2 Orlando Arcia (2010, international free agent), #9 Victor Roache (2012, 1st, 28), and #12 Michael Reed(2011, 5th, 161).  They hold down the second through fifth positins in their line up.  The Threshers’ staff held them to 4 singles in 15 at bats with a walk and 6 strike outs.

Kevin Walter posted the following line and stats –

• 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
• 19 batters faced, 8 first pitch strikes
• 84 pitches, 51 strikes
• Of the 15 strikes – 6 swinging, 15 called, 16 fouls, 14 balls in play
• Of the 14 in play – 7 ground ball outs, 4 fly ball outs, 3 base hits
• The 3 base hits were all singles – 1 line drives to right and a ground ball to center
• Walter ran six 3-ball counts that resulted in a F8, 1B, BB, BB, 6-3, and a runner caught stealing on a 3-0 count (yes, really)

Aaron Baker came in for the sixth inning and struck out 2 and gave up 2 singles.  With runners on the corners, Gabriel Lino blocked a pitch in the dirt.  The runner on first broke then stopped.  Lino pumped and turned and caught the runner drifting too far off third.  The wild pitch instead became a routine 2-5-2 caught stealing.

Baker got a couple more strike outs in the seventh but was replaced after a hit batsman and 2 singles scored the Manatees’ second run.  He had thown about 34 pitches in 1.2 innings.  Ulises Joaquin relieved and got the third out on one pitch.  Joaquin pitched the final 2 innings and recorded his 7th save in 8 opportunities.  Their lines were –

• Baker – 1.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HBP
• Joaquin – 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, stranded 2 inherited runners

Friday night the Threshers roughed up #13 prospect Taylor Williams (2013, 4th, 122).  Saturday they beat up on #14 Tyler Wagner (2012, 4th, 155).  They miss #8 Jorge Lopez (2011, 2nd, 70) this series.

Wagner came into the game with a 13-5 record and 1.60 ERA in 23 starts.  He hadn’t allowed more than 4 runs in any of his starts.  He allowed all 6 earned runs Saturday.

The Threshers submitted quickly in the first inning on 7 pitches.  The Threshers got their first hit in the second inning, but Wagner recorded his second and third strike outs.  In the third, the Threshers mounted their first threat but failed to score.  They finally broke through in the fourth inning with back-to-back 2-run home runs.

Game notes –

• Roman Quinn went 1-3 with a bunt single, walk, and his 30th stolen base in 40 attempts
• Jesmuel Valentin went 1-4.  He grounded into a rally killing 3-6-1 double play in the third inning.  The notable part of the play was how Wagner hustled over to complete the play at first.
• J.P. Crawford went 1-4 with 2 RBIs on a double into the right centerfield field gap.  He was thrown out stealing third later in the inning.
• Art Charles went 1-3 with a double and walk.  The double bounced midway up the wall in dead centerfield.
• Brian Pointer went 1-4 with the go-ahead 2 run home run
• Harold Martinez went 1-3 with a triple to left centerfield.
• Chris Serritella went 2-3 with the other 2-run home run
• Lino went 0-3 with 3 Ks
• Herlis Rodriguez went 2-3 with a double
• Charles was doubled off second on a line drive by Pointer to left

The Threshers enter the final week of the season with 7 games remaining, 2 at home.  After Sunday’s 1:00PM game they play 2 games in Tampa before returning to Clearwater to host the Yankees in their last home game Thursday night.  They pay their last 3 games on the road in Lakeland.  Thursday is also the day that the GCL Phillies play their last regular season game.