FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Miracle Blow Lead in Ninth, Lose 5-4

Published on August 20, 2005 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


FORT MYERS, FL - The Fort Myers Miracle knew prior to the game on Saturday night at Hammond Stadium that first place Dunedin had already lost. With a chance to pull within a half game of first place and two outs away from victory the Miracle saw it disappear as they lost to the Lakeland Tigers 5-4.

Josh Gray retired the first hitter in the ninth and then gave up a single to Garth McKinney. Gray walked the next two hitters to load the bases and Jan Granado came out of the bullpen to relieve Gray. He didn't fare much better as he walked Brent Clevlen to force in the tying run and then gave up a sacrifice fly to Derek Nicholson that gave the Tigers the lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, Trent Oeltjen walked with one out. Kyle Geiger then hit a screaming liner that looked like it was headed for center field, but Tiger shortstop Juan Gonzalez dove and made a spectacular catch, got to his knees and threw to first to double up Oeltjen and end the game.

The Miracle actually jumped out to a 4-0 lead off of Tiger starter Nate Bumstead. Matt Tolbert singled to left to lead off the first. Angelo Fermin singled on a little dribbler to the third base side that put runners at first and second. Oeltjen was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Geiger's infield single scored the first run. Brock Peterson grounded into a double play that scored the second run to make it 2-0 Miracle.

In the third, the Miracle put together five straight base hits and scored two runs on Mark Zamojc' single to center.

The Tigers started their comeback in the sixth. Adam Harben walked the lead off man and then gave up a two run home run to Kelly Hunt, his 17th of the season. In the seventh Harben walked Vincent Blue with two outs, he moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI single by Clevlen. Harben went seven innings allowing three runs on six hits while walking four and striking out eight.

Oeltjen finished the night 3-3 with a double while Geiger was 2-5 with an RBI and a run scored. The Miracle wrap up the series against the Tigers Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. The Miracle send RHP Jay Rainville (4-1, 2.03) to the hill against Tiger LHP Jordan Tata (12-2, 2.48). The game can be heard live on Sports Radio 770 ESPN.

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Florida State League Stories from August 20, 2005


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