Hammerheads Knock off Miracle, 3-2, in Series Opener
Published on April 21, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release
FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 21, 2014) - The Jupiter Hammerheads edged the Fort Myers Miracle, 3-2, at Roger Dean Stadium on Monday evening in the first of a four-game series.
Jupiter jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a run in each of the second and third innings. Miracle starter Alex Wimmers allowed a lead off double to Viosergy Rosa in the second. After a strikeout of Josh Adams, Blake Barber singled up the middle to score Rosa.
In the third, the Hammerheads struck with two outs. Ryan Goetz cued a 2-2 pitch that dribbled down the third base line, staying fair, for a base hit. Then, Matt Juengel off the wall in left field to score Goetz from first.
Wimmers left the game down 2-0, but would get a no decision going five innings with two walks and three strikeouts.
The Miracle answered in the sixth with a run off Jupiter starter Josh Hodges. With one out, Adam Brett Walker looped a single into right field. Mike Gonzales followed with a liner to left. Travis Harrison then hit into a force play that retired Gonzales at second, but Harrison beat out the double play attempt to keep the inning alive. Max Kepler stepped up and roped the first pitch from Hodges up the middle to plate Walker and cut the Hammerheads' lead to one run.
Hodges exited the game after the sixth, but also received a no decision.
In the top of the seventh, Niko Goodrum greeted Jupiter reliever Chipper Smith with a triple down the third base line. Levi Michael brought Goodrum home with a double. On a 1-0 pitch from Smith, Michael hit a liner just inside the left field line to tie the game, 2-2.
After a perfect sixth, Steven Gruver remained on the hill for the Miracle into the seventh. Alonzo Harris laid down a bunt single to start the inning for the Hammerheads. Ross Wilson then registered a sacrifice bunt and Harris moved to second base. Facing Noah Perio, Gruver (1-2) induced a ground ball to short, but Jorge Polanco's throw pulled first baseman Dalton Hicks off the bag. Perio reached on Polanco's 10th error of the season and Harris moved to third to put runners on the corners.
The next hitter, Cameron Flynn, sent an 0-1 pitch into left field that was caught by Harrison, but deep enough to score Harris and give the Hammerheads a 3-2 lead.
Joseph O'Gara entered from the Jupiter bullpen and tallied his second save of the season with a clean ninth inning.
Gruver took the loss for the Miracle. Allowing an unearned run on one hit, Gruver pitched two innings with one strikeout. Madison Boer tossed a scoreless eighth.
The Miracle (9-8) play the second of a four-game series at Roger Dean Stadium with the Hammerheads (7-10) on Tuesday night with first pitch set at 6:35 p.m. Fans can listen to the play-by-play action on www.miraclebaseball.com with the "ËVoice of the Miracle' Brice Zimmerman. The Head Quarters Men's Haircuts pregame show begins at 6:10 p.m.
Florida State League Stories from April 21, 2014
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- Patience Pays Off, Mets Edge Cardinals 5-4 - St. Lucie Mets
- Hammerheads Grind out a Win - Jupiter Hammerheads
- Marauders Outlast Stone Crabs 2-1 - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Hammerheads Knock off Miracle, 3-2, in Series Opener - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Starlin Rodriguez Named Florida State League Player of the Week - Palm Beach Cardinals
- Jed Bradley Named FSL Pitcher of the Week - Brevard County Manatees
- Florida State League Names Pitcher & Player of the Week - FSL1
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