Hammerheads Win, 8-7, in Late Offensive Flurry
Published on June 9, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release
JUPITER, Fla. (June 9, 2014) - The Fort Myers Miracle coughed up a two-run lead in the eighth inning and a furious rally in the ninth came up short in an 8-7 loss to the Jupiter Hammerheads on Monday evening at Roger Dean Stadium.
Tied 1-1 after seven innings, the Miracle broke the stalemate in the eighth. With one out, Tyler Grimes tripled into deep center field. After Jupiter reliever Casey McCarthy struck out Jorge Polanco, Aderling Mejia poked a double down the left field line to score Grimes. Stephen Wickens then laced a doubled past third base to bring home Mejia, 3-1.
Miracle reliever Brian Gilbert entered for the bottom half of the eighth inning and gave up four consecutive base hits and a wild pitch to allow a pair of runs to score. Anthony Gomez's single through the right side with runners on the corners tied the game, 3-3.
Manager Doug Mientkiewicz went to the bullpen and called on Madison Boer. Terrence Dayleg sent a 1-1 pitch from Boer up the middle to put the Hammerheads up 4-3. Noah Perio and Colin Moran would each add two-run doubles that pushed the Jupiter advantage to 8-3. The Hammerheads scored seven runs on seven hits in the eighth and sent 13 hitters to the plate.
In the ninth, the Miracle nearly mounted a comeback against Jupiter reliever Colby Suggs. Travis Harrison led off with a single and moved to second on a stolen base. After a strikeout of Niko Goodrum, Mike Gonzales registered a base hit to put runners on the corners. A walk to pinch-hitter Lance Ray loaded the bases. Grimes then lined a single into center to score a run and cut the Jupiter lead to 8-4.
Grimes finished the evening 4-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored.
Hammerhead manager Brian Schneider went to the bullpen and brought in Blake Logan. Polanco greeted the new reliever with a RBI single into right field. Mejia followed with a bloop single to left and Wickens earned a RBI sacrifice fly to bring the Jupiter lead to one run, 8-7.
With two outs, Logan got Adam Brett Walker to fly out to deep right field to end the game and earn his first save of the season.
Dayleg got the Hammerheads on the board in the second inning with a solo homer off Miracle starter D.J. Baxendale. In his second start with Fort Myers this season, Baxendale went five innings in a no decision allowing one run on four hits, a walk and three strikeouts.
Grimes drove in Fort Myers' first run in the third.
McCarthy (2-2) earned the win despite giving up a pair of runs on three hits. Gilbert (0-2) did not record an out in the eighth and was the losing pitcher for the Miracle.
The Miracle (36-27) return to Hammond Stadium for a three-game series against the Charlotte Stone Crabs. First pitch is set at 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6 p.m. for a 2-4-1 Tuesday. Fans can enjoy buy one, get one hot dogs, fountain sodas and domestic draft beers.
Florida State League Stories from June 9, 2014
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- Hammerheads Win, 8-7, in Late Offensive Flurry - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
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- Demmin Dominates in 2-0 Victory - Clearwater Threshers
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- Blue Jays 1B K.C. Hobson Named FSL Player of the Week - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Florida State League Names Pitcher & Player of the Week - FSL1
- Quinn Homers as Threshers Win, 8-7 - Clearwater Threshers
- Marauders Host Cardinals For Three Games Before 2014 Florida State League All-Star Weekend - Bradenton Marauders
- Daisy Duke to Appear in Fort Myers - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
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