Gonsalves Sharp, Knecht Homers in 9-0 Blowout of Mets
Published on July 6, 2015 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release
FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 6, 2015) - The Fort Myers Miracle completed a three-game sweep of the St. Lucie Mets with a 9-0 drubbing and seven scoreless innings from Stephen Gonsalves at Hammond Stadium on Monday evening.
In his best start since joining the Miracle, Gonsalves (3-0) faced just five over the minimum with just three hits surrendered and two walks while notching seven strikeouts.
The lineup supplied offense early in the game for Gonsalves. In the first, Zack Granite led off with a double against Mets starter Miller Diaz. A wild pitch moved Granite to third. Then, Engelb Vielma hit a sharp grounder that deflected off of Diaz's lower body. Third baseman Jairo Perez grabbed the ball and threw to home plate in an attempt to get Granite. Perez's toss beat Granite to the plate, but the runner was ruled safe when home plate umpire Ryan Benson ruled that catcher Lednier Ricardo blocked the dish, 1-0.
Vielma was in the mix again in the third. With one out, Vielma singled into center off Diaz (5-7). While at the first base bag, Diaz attempted a pick-off throw that first baseman Dominic Smith lost in the sun for an error and Vielma moved up to second. Alex Swim then pulled a ground ball out to the right side and Vielma advanced to third. Mitch Garver stepped to the plate and watched a wild pitch from Diaz bounce to the netting behind home plate and Vielma scored, 2-0.
After scraping across two runs, Marcus Knecht brought the fans to their feet with a majestic three-run homer in the fifth. Swim started a scoring frame with a two-out lined single that deflected off Phil Evan's glove at second base. Garver reachd on an infield hit that bounced off Diaz on the mound. With two on, Knecht launched a 1-1 pitch 413 feet and high onto the Sun Harvest Citrus lawn, 5-0.
A solid lead became a blowout in the eighth when the Miracle churned out four runs on four hits. Michael Quesada knocked in a run while reaching on an error. Vielma and Garver picked up RBI singles and Swim drove in a run with a bases loaded walk against Mets reliever David Roseboom.
Vielma finished the game 4-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. Knecht was 2-for-5 with three RBI, a double and two runs.
Matt Summers tossed a perfect eighth and ninth innings to complete the shutout. Gonsalves and Summers limited the Mets to just three hits. The shutout was Fort Myers' seventh of the season and the Miracle have now won 11 consecutive home games at Hammond Stadium.
The Miracle (46-36, 8-4) are one game off the pace in the Florida State League South Divison and travel to Jupiter, Fla. to battle the Hammerheads in the first of a three-game series on Tuesday evening. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. and the MiracleBaseball.com pregame show begins at 6:10 p.m. with the "Voice of the Miracle" Brice Zimmerman.
Florida State League Stories from July 6, 2015
- Yankees Win in Wild Fashion to Sweep Tortugas - Tampa Yankees
- Odorizzi's Start Helps Snap Skid - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Arano Shuts out Manatees in Rain-Shortened Win - Clearwater Threshers
- Marauders Sweep Hammerheads - Palm Beach Cardinals
- Duncan Helps Marauders Grab First Place - Bradenton Marauders
- Gonsalves Sharp, Knecht Homers in 9-0 Blowout of Mets - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Miracle Complete Sweep of Mets with 9-0 Victory - St. Lucie Mets
- Clint Coulter Named FSL Player of the Week - Brevard County Manatees
- Miracle Go Back to the Future on Saturday, July 11 - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Marauders Home July 7-9 - Bradenton Marauders
- Gant Wins FSL Pitcher of the Week Award - St. Lucie Mets
- Miracle Celebrate World Cup Win with Special Ticket Offer - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
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