FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Miracle blank Yanks 7-0 and move to 6-0

Published on April 11, 2006 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


TAMPA, FL (April 11, 2006) - The Fort Myers Miracle pitching staff of 2006 is making a case to be one of the best in the 15 year history of the franchise. They earned their second shutout of the season and two hit the Tampa Yankees behind five amazing innings from starter Matt Garza and rolled out to a 6-0 record with a 7-0 victory on Tuesday night at Legends Field.

Matt Garza looked even more impressive in his second outing than he did in his first hurling 5.0 shutout innings allowing just two hits, while striking out a career high 10. The only hits he gave up were an infield single on a slow roller to second by Eduardo Nunez with one out in the fourth and a fly ball triple by Ben Himes in the fifth, which right fielder Erold Andrus lost in the lights. Other than that no other Yankee reached base. The Miracle pitching staff faced just two over the minimum with Ryan Callahan and Josh Hill tossing two shutout innings, each striking out a pair. Garza struck out the first and third batters he faced in each of his five innings.

The Miracle offense finally got going in the sixth off of Yankee starter Brett Smith who was just as dominating through five innings. With one out in the sixth Trevor Plouffe walked. He moved to second on a wild pitch and scored when Garrett Guzman's grounder went off the glove of first baseman Cody Ehlers. Guzman moved to second when Winfree was hit by a pitch and scored on Deacon Burns' single to right-center.

The Miracle scored three runs in the seventh on a bizarre play. With runners at first and second and two outs Guzman singled to center that scored Alexi Casilla just ahead of the throw. The catcher then threw down to third to try and get Plouffe advancing, but the ball glanced off of third baseman Marcos Vechionacci's glove and went into shallow left field and that allowed Plouffe to score. Guzman tried to take third on the errant throw and Vechionacci's throw to the shortstop glanced off of Nunez' glove His momentum caused him to run into Miracle third base coach and manager Kevin Boles, knocking both men over and Guzman scampered home.

The Miracle tacked on two more in the seventh when Casilla's grounder scored Luke Hughes with the bases loaded and Plouffe's single plated Kory Feiner.

Everyone, but Feiner recorded a hit in the game and Casilla extended his hit streak to six games. Plouffe was 2-4 with an RBI and two runs scored and Guzman was 2-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.

The Miracle have now matched the second longest winning streak to begin a season in their 15 year history, tying the 2005 Miracle club at 6-0. The Fort Myers franchise record is 9-0 set in 1994. The same two teams meet Wednesday night at Legends Field at 7:00 p.m. with the Miracle sending RHP Anthony Swarzak (1-0, 0.00) to the hill against RHP Philip Hughes (0-1, 0.00).

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Florida State League Stories from April 11, 2006


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