FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Hammerheads Take Series with 4-2 Win

April 21, 2016 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Jupiter Hammerheads defeated the Fort Myers Miracle, 4-2, at Hammond Stadium on Thursday night.

Miracle starter Tyler Jay struggled in the first inning and the Hammerheads pounced for three runs. Jay (1-1) walked Dexter Kjerstad to start the game and Brian Schales followed with a single up the middle to put runners on the corners. Brian Anderson then struck a bouncing ball up the middle that was knocked down by Nick Gordon behind the second base bag, but no out was recorded and Kjerstad scored. Taylor Ard drove in the second Jupiter run on a long single to right center field and Schales came around to touch the plate.

With runners at first and second, Brad Haynal flew out to right field and Anderson advanced to third base. Yuniel Ramirez then singled on the infield to plate a third Jupiter run as Anderson crossed home, 3-0.

Jay settled into the game after the first and did not allow a run for the next four innings and finished the night with three walks and three strikeouts. In the bottom of the fifth, the Miracle picked up a run with some two out hitting. Ryan Walker turned around an 0-2 pitch from Hammerheads starter Dillon Peters for a base hit into right. Chris Paul then stepped into the box and laced a 1-0 pitch into the gap in right center. Walker raced from first home to cut the Jupiter lead 3-1.

Raul Fernandez pitched two scoreless frames out of the Miracle bullpen despite a 34-minute rain delay between the first and second outs in the top of the seventh. Luke Bard hurled a perfect eighth with a pair of strikeouts.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Miracle shaved another run off the lead with an Alex Swim RBI hit. With one out, Trey Vavra picked up his second single of the game off Jupiter reliever Chris Mazza. A wild pitch advanced Vavra to second. Swim then laced a first pitch up the middle and Vavra scored to cut the Hammerhead advantage to 3-2.

Todd Van Steensel entered for the ninth inning out of the Miracle pen and issued a lead-off walk to Arturo Rodriguez. Jupiter pinch ran Chris Hoo for Rodriguez and Rehiner Cordova laid down a sacrifice bunt for the first out. Kjerstad singled on an 0-2 pitch to land runners at the corners. Van Steensel rallied to strikeout Schales, but was called for a balk by home plate umpire Jonathan Parra while pitching to Anderson.

Hoo scored on a the balk to push the Hammerhead lead to 4-2. The call on Van Steensel marked the second balk from Parra with a runner on third in the series.

Esmerling De La Rosa recorded a 1-2-3 ninth to nail down his first save of the year.

A six-game homestand for the Miracle (8-7) continues on Friday night with the first Dog Daze of Summer. The Charlotte Stone Crabs are in town to open a three-game set. Fans can bring their puppies to the ballpark and peruse dog venders on the concourse. The Miracle will send right-hander Keaton Steele (0-1) to the mound against Charlotte right-hander Brent Honeywell (0-0). Fans can purchase tickets by calling (239) 768-4210 or ordering online at www.miraclebaseball.com.

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Florida State League Stories from April 21, 2016


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