April 25, 2013
By Rocky Julich

Today we visit Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Florida. This is the Spring Training Complex of the Washington Nationals. I have not been here since 1994, when the Florida Marlins made this their spring home. At that time, this was cow country. Much has changed, as lovely homes have displaced the pastures.

The Tampa Yankees play in the 19th game of the Minor Leagues season vs. the Brevard County Manatees.

Pitching for Tampa, Zachary Nuding, returning from the 7 Day DL (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Pitching for Brevard, Brandon Williamson, his first start of the season (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

At the top of the first inning the Polka tune “Roll out the Barrel” is blasted as Tampa 3B Rob Segedin steps to the plate. Prior to game start, it was announced that if Segedin struck out between the first and seventh innings beer would be sold for $2.00.
Rob Segedin has 12 strikeouts for the season. He hits a pop fly to leftfield in the first inning.

In this game, Rob Segedin is at third base. The Manager of the Tampa Yankees, Luis Sojo advised “Segedin is a natural third baseman and if something happens Segedin would be switched from leftfield to third”. Sojo continued, “The third baseman is on the injured list.”

Rob Segedin is the leader on the Tampa Yankees in 18 games played, 69 AB, 14 R, 21 H, 4 HR, 11 RBI.

The Brevard County Manatees drew first runs in the bottom of the second inning. 3B Mike Walker connects the first hit against Nuding and steals second. DH Scott Krieger, 2B Shea Vucinich, RF Franklin Romero also hit singles and the Manatees are on board with two runs.

A cool evening in this neck of the woods of Viera, as the A Advanced Yankees line-up goes down 1-2-3 in the first three innings of play.

No $2.00 beer, as Rob Segedin connects a hit in the top of the fourth inning.

Between innings we watch the Manatee mascot “Manny” compete with a boy running the bases. Just one of the many activities that take place in the fun filled Minor Leagues ballparks.
In the top of the fifth inning, C J.R. Murphy reached base on an error by Manatees SS Nick Shaw. DH Tyson Blaser gets on base with a single. RF Shane Brown hits a long double to left field which scores Murphy and Blaser. The teams are tied 2 – 2.

In the top of the sixth inning, to the tune of “Who Let the Dogs Out”, hundreds of laughing children run from the encircled number 42 of Jackie Robinson, the only Washington retired number at centerfield, across to third base and into their seats in the stands. The children looked colorful.

In the sixth inning, Rob Segedin is called out on strikes and the announcement follows for $2.00 beer! From my seat in the Press Box, I can view the line forming at the leftfield Tiki Bar. Let’s Go Yankees. Let’s Go Manatees.

Manatees RHP Sean Black takes the mound in the top of the seventh inning. He gives up hits to CF Eduardo Sosa and DH Tyson Blaser. An error by 2B Shea Vucinich allows Sosa to score and the Yankees take the lead 3 – 2.

The Yankees score a fourth run in the top of the eighth inning. A walk to Segedin and a double by Sosa drives in Segadin.

After a good pitching performance by the Manatees starting pitcher Williamson, the bullpen fails and the Yankees again score runs. In the top of the ninth inning, Mojica and Flores on base, a double by Segedin scores two runs. Kyle Roller reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Vucinich and Segadin scores the final run of the game.

It was a $2.00 beer, kind of a Segedin night.

Final Score: Tampa Yankees 7 – Brevard County Manatees 2

WP: Zachary Nuding 1-0
LP: Brooks Hall 0-1
Time: 2:40
Attendance: 1,008

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.