FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Miracle Blank Reds 6-0 and Move to 2-0

Published on April 7, 2006 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


SARASOTA FL - Many experts said the Fort Myers Miracle could have the best pitching staff in the Florida State League in 2006. So far they have done nothing to dispute that claim as three Miracle pitchers combined on their first shutout of 2006 with a 6-0 victory over the Sarasota Reds at Ed Smith Stadium on Friday night.

Anthony Swarzak, who was called up late last season and pitched 10 games for the Miracle, was stellar, in picking up the victory, during his five innings of work. He allowed just four hits while walking two and striking out four. Angel Garcia tossed two shutout innings allowing two hits while striking out one and JP Martinez got the save tossing the final two innings allowing four hits while striking out one.

The Reds left 11 men stranded, with the lead off man getting on base in eight of the nine innings, but the Miracle pitchers continued to pitch out of mini jams all night. The biggest one came in the ninth when the first two hitters reached, but Martinez got a groundball double play and a strikeout to preserve the shutout.

The offense gave the Miracle pitching staff all the run support they needed in the first. Trevor Plouffe walked with one out, went to second on a single by Garrett Guzman and then scored on David Winfree's single.

There was a little excitement in the second. Luke Hughes, who hit a three run homer on Thursday and also barreled over Reds catcher John Purdom, was buzzed by a fastball on the first pitch he saw on Friday. He took two steps towards the pitchers mound and Purdom stepped in front of him. Words were exchanged and the benches cleared, but no punches were thrown.

Winfree came calling again in the third inning. Alexi Casilla led off the inning with a single and stole second. One out later Winfree doubled over the center fielders head for an RBI double. He scored on an RBI single from Erold Andrus.

The Miracle tacked on three insurance runs in the ninth. The Miracle loaded the bases with a walk, single and a hit batsman. Hughes then drove in a run with a scoring fly ball and with two outs and the bases loaded Garrett Guzman singled home two runs.

The Miracle and Reds play game three of their four game series Saturday night at Hammond Stadium. The Miracle send RHP Kevin Slowey (NR) to the hill against Reds RHP James Avery (NR). The Miracle will celebrate their 15th anniversary Saturday night, all sponsored by Publix. Entertainment, former GM's and the owners of the Miracle will be on hand. There will be surprises all night long and fans can get tickets from any Lee or Collier County Publix.

Check out the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Florida State League Stories from April 7, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central