FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Miracle Capitalize on Tortugas Errors, Pick up 3-2 Win

Published on June 15, 2015 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 15, 2015) - The Fort Myers Miracle overcame an early two-run deficit to defeat the Daytona Tortugas, 3-2, on Monday evening at Hammond Stadium.

Daytona got on the board in the first inning on a solo home run from Junior Arias. On a 3-2 pitch from Miracle starter Mat Batts, Arias sent a 382-foot drive onto the berm in left field, 1-0.

In the second, the Tortugas added a second run. Alex Blandino led off with a double into the left field corner and advanced to third on a fly out to right from Robert Ramirez. Chad Wallach then cracked an 0-1 pitch into left center for a double and Blandino scored, 2-0.

Engelb Vielma got the Miracle on the board in the bottom of the third with a two-out RBI. After Daytona reliever Nick Routt retired the first two hitters, Zack Granite laid down a bunt single in front of home plate. Then, Routt threw over to first on a pick-off attempt and Wallach lost the ball in the sun resulting in an error and Granite moving up to second. Vielma then pulled a soft liner on a 1-0 pitch to plate Granite and cut the Tortugas lead to 2-1.

The Miracle drew even in the bottom of the sixth. Daytona brought in reliever Nolan Becker and Chad Christensen greeted him with a single into left field. Granite then hit into a force play that retired Christensen at second base. Granite advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Vielma and then scored on Ryan Walker's bouncing single up the middle to knot the game at 2-2.

Batts exited the game after six innings and received a no decision after giving up two runs on five hits with no walks and four strikeouts.

In the seventh, Daytona's defense committed a costly error that helped the Miracle take the lead. With one out, Tortugas reliever Joe Mantoni struck Bryan Haar with a 2-2 pitch. Jason Kanzler followed with a single into right field to put runners at first and second. Christensen then hit a ground ball to second baseman Carlton Daal who flipped to Blandino at shortstop for an out. Blandino then tried to complete the double play, but his throw bounced in the dirt and into the Daytona dugout. The throwing error allowed Haar to come home and give the Miracle a 3-2 advantage.

After tossing a scoreless seventh, Miracle reliever D.J. Johnson started the top of the eight by walking Phillip Ervin. Stealing second, Ervin moved up to second. Johnson then struck out Arias for the first out and then was replaced by Alex Muren out of the bullpen. Muren wheeled around and threw a pick-off attempt to second to try and get Ervin, but the ball hit the runner and deflected into center field.

With a runner at third and one out, Muren knuckled down to strikeout Sebastian Elizalde and Taylor Sparks to end the inning. Muren remained on the mound in the ninth and recorded his second save by fanning two more while stranding the tying runner at third for the second consecutive inning.

The Miracle (32-32) snapped a two-game losing streak and continue the series at Hammond Stadium on Tuesday evening against the Tortugas (37-27). The game starts at 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6 p.m. for a 2-for-1 Tuesday. Fans can take advantage of buy one, get one general admission tickets, domestic draft beers and hot dogs. For tickets and information, call (239) 768-4210 or www.miraclebaseball.com.

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Florida State League Stories from June 15, 2015


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