FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Miracle Sweep Doubleheader with Dominant Pitching

Published on July 2, 2009 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


LAKELAND -- Mike McCardell dazzled with nine strikeouts in a complete game victory as the Miracle swept a doubleheader with final scores of 3-1 and 4-1 at Joker Marchant Stadium.

McCardell's gem came in the 4-1 nightcap. Winning his eighth to lead the staff, the Pennsylvania-born right-hander tossed seven innings while walking one, fanning nine, and scattering seven hits. Time after time he worked out of jams, stranding at least one runner in scoring position in the first, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. After four, McCardell (8-5) had already struck out seven. His final K, of Adrian Casanova in the seventh inning, marked his 300th career Minor League strikeout.

He had help from his offense, too. After Deibinson Romero's RBI double helped the Miracle to the lead in the fourth inning, the Tigers managed to get it back in the fifth. Chris Parmelee answered immediately with a two-out, two-run shot into the bullpens in right- center field off Brett Jacobson (1-2). It was his tenth of the season, and Nick Romero followed Parmelee's lead with a leadoff homer in the seventh. It was Romero's third in a Miracle uniform.

In the first game of the twinbill, a long rain delay knocked out starter Tyler Robertson, who had pitched well through the first two innings. Joe Testa (1-0) came in after the 1:13 delay during the top of the third to record his second Florida State League win and first of 2009. The hard-throwing lefty gave up three hits in two innings while walking one and striking out five. Blair Erickson struck out two and allowed a run in the seventh for his ninth save.

L.J. Gagnier (5-6) suffered the loss after giving up two earned runs, three total, in two and two-thirds. The Miracle grabbed two runs in the top of the second on a Jair Fernandez RBI single, and a subsequent fielding error by centerfielder Chris White on a Chris Cates groundball single that allowed Fernandez to score. Steve Singleton added his fifth homer of the year on a towering blast to right leading off the third inning.

The Miracle swept the three-game series, with one game cancelled due to rain, and will return home to Fort Myers to host the Charlotte Stone Crabs on Friday night.

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Florida State League Stories from July 2, 2009


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