Berrios Shines in 5-1 Victory for Miracle over Cardinals
Published on April 25, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Fort Myers Miracle opened the season series with Palm Beach in victorious fashion with a 5-1 win at Hammond Stadium on Friday night.
Miracle starter Jose Berrios bounced back from a poor start on April 18 with a strong six innings. Scattering eight hits, Berrios (1-1) allowed just one run, two walks and struck out seven. Berrios lasted just two innings in his previous start and gave up seven runs to the St. Lucie Mets.
Palm Beach scratched across a run in the top of the first inning. Charlie Tilson led off with a bloop single into left field. After Berrios fanned Starlin Rodriguez, Brayvic Valera singled through the right side to put runners on the corners. Jacob Wilson earned a walk to load the bases. On an 0-1 pitch, Nick Martini picked up a RBI with a ground out to first base that brought in Tilson from third, 1-0.
Berrios rallied to fan Matt Williams swinging to end the inning with his second strikeout.
The Miracle offense went to work quickly. In the bottom of the first with two outs, Jorge Polanco launched a solo homer off Cardinals starter Thomas Lee. On the first pitch, Polanco turned on an inside fastball from Lee (1-2) and sent a line drive off the drink railing in right field. The long ball was Polanco's second in as many nights.
Dalton Hicks broke the 1-1 tie in the bottom of the fourth inning. After a one-out infield hit by Polanco, Hicks slapped a RBI double down the left field line to push the Miracle lead to 2-1.
A three-run sixth inning by the Miracle lineup padded the lead. Polanco ignited the offense again with a lead off single. Beating out an infield hit, Polanco advanced to second on a throwing error by the shortstop Williams. A Hicks single and a walk to Adam Brett Walker loaded the bases. Mike Gonzales delivered a sacrifice fly to center field to bring in Polanco, 3-1.
After a Niko Goodrum fly out, Max Kepler drove a 2-0 pitch of Lee to the warning track for a two-out, two run double. Kepler finished 2-for-3.
Polanco ended the evening 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a run batted in.
Mason Melotakis entered for Berrios in the second inning and fanned four in two scoreless innings. The 11 strikeouts totaled by Berrios and Melotakis were the most by the Miracle pitching staff this season in single game. Tyler Jones faced the minimum in a scoreless ninth.
The Miracle (12-9) host the Cardinals (9-12) on Saturday at Hammond Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and the gates open at 6 p.m. on SINK or SWIM Saturday. For $12, fans can buy a wristband and enjoy unlimited domestic draft beers through the sixth inning.
Florida State League Stories from April 25, 2014
- Mets Sink Marauders with 10-Run Inning - St. Lucie Mets
- 'Tees Squander Opportunities in 6-3 Loss to Daytona - Brevard County Manatees
- Williams Recieves 12 Run Gift from Teammates - Jupiter Hammerheads
- Hammerheads Chomp Stone Crabs 12-1 - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Berrios Shines in 5-1 Victory for Miracle over Cardinals - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Threshers Shut Out by Blue Jays - Clearwater Threshers
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