Miami Wins Series; Takes Share of First Place

MIAMI, FL - For the second straight night, the Miami Diamantes rallied from a 2-0 deficit  – defeating the Space Coast Surge 5-2 at University Park.  With the win, the Diamantes took two-of-three from the Surge, and are now tied with Lake County for first place in the Florida Winter Baseball League.

It was a chilly night in Miami, with temperatures falling to the high 60’s – and it took the Diamantes bats a few innings to warm up.  They woke up in the fourth – trailing 2-0 – as  Tyler Johnson and Joash Brodin hit back-to-back home runs to tie the game at two.

Miami used a much different strategy in the sixth inning to take the lead, showing excellent patience at the plate against Surge starter Kevin Cooper.  With the score still tied 2-2, Miami loaded the bases on walks by David Espinosa and Joash Brodin, with Johnson being hit by pitch in between.  With the bases full of Diamantes and no outs, Alberto Espinosa drew another walk to give Miami their first lead of the night.  Brian Mathews followed by smacking a line drive into left field off of Space Coast reliever Mike Koons – scoring Johnson and Brodin.  Cooper was charged with his third loss of the year.

Mathews had an outstanding series for Miami, finishing 5-for-9 with two home runs, a double, and five runs batted in.

Marcus Salmon pitched six strong innings for the Diamantes, as he picked up his second win of the year.  The Sunset High School and Miami Dade Community College product allowed only two earned runs on six hits – while striking out six.  Luke Demko followed to pitch two scoreless innings, before Armando Carrasco pitched a perfect ninth for his second consecutive save.

In other Florida Winter Baseball League action, the Lake County Black Bears and the Seminole County Naturals split a double-header.  Miami’s win along with a loss by Lake County pulled both teams to an even 8-4 record.  Miami will travel to Lake County for a three game set beginning tomorrow night, with the winner of the series taking the outright lead in the Florida Winter Baseball League standings.

Miami will return home Tuesday night to begin a six game home-stand against the Surge and then Seminole County.  First pitch Tuesday will be 7:05 p.m. from University Park on the campus of Florida International University.