Miracle Crush Jupiter, 14-1, on Sunday Morning
Published on August 31, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release
JUPITER, Fla. (August 31, 2014) - The Fort Myers Miracle closed out the regular season with a 14-1 drubbing of the Jupiter Hammerheads on Sunday morning at Roger Dean Stadium.
The Miracle blitzed Jupiter starter Cody Crabaugh early in the game, eventually forcing Hammerhead manager Brian Schneider to go to the bullpen in the third inning. Stuart Turner got the Miracle offense going with a two-run homer off Crabaugh (1-2) in the second inning. After a Dalton Hicks single, Turner smashed a first pitch that skipped off the top of the wall in left field and over for a home run, his seventh of the season.
In the third, the Miracle broke the game open with five runs on four hits and 10 batters sent to the plate. Jason Kanzler started the frame by earning a walk. After Niko Goodrum popped out to first, Kanzler stole second base. Max Kepler then pulled a single through the right side to bring in Kanzler. Crabaugh then issued a walk to Travis Harrison and Hicks lashed a single into right field as the next hitter to score Kepler. Turner tapped out to the pitcher, but moved the runners to second and third with two outs. Adam Brett Walker then coaxed a walk and Tyler Grimes drove in a pair of runs with a line drive into center field. Bryan Haar capped the scoring with a RBI single through the left side, 7-0.
Three more Miracle runs crossed home plate in the sixth. Haar led off with a walk and advanced to third on a double by Kanzler. Goodrum then ripped a single into right and Haar scored. Kepler followed with another RBI base hit into center and, two batters later, Hicks drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, 10-0.
The offense continued to surge in the seventh with four more runs. The first four hitters reached base, including a RBI double from Grimes. Goodrum then brought in a run with a sacrifice fly. Kepler then unleashed his third RBI hit of the morning with a double into right center. The four-run inning was complete after a RBI ground out from Harrison.
Fort Myers' 14 runs matched a season-high for the most scored in an individual game this season.
Miracle starter Steven Gruver went two scoreless innings in a tune-up for the playoffs. Tyler Jones came on in relief in the third and tossed three scoreless frames. Allowing a hit to the lead-off man, Jones (3-3) retired the next nine hitters consecutively.
Alex Muren allowed the only run scored by the Jupiter offense against Miracle pitching. After a scoreless sixth, Muren got the first two outs of the seventh before allowing a hit and a walk. Exiting with an injury, Muren was replaced by Todd Van Steensel. Yosmany Guerra greeted Van Steensel with a RBI single into right. Van Steensel retired the last out of the seventh and the final six over the last two innings to close out the 14-1 victory in the final regular season game.
The Miracle finish the season with an overall mark of 82-57 and 41-29 in the second half. The 82 wins is the second-most in the history of the team since moving to Fort Myers in 1992.
With a win in the first of two games on Sunday morning, the Bradenton Marauders clinched the second half championship in the Florida State League South Division. The Miracle will travel to Bradenton, Fla. to play the Marauders at McKechnie Field on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in game one of the FSL South Division Championship Series.
JetBlue Park is guaranteed at least one home playoff game on Wednesday, September 3. The Miracle offices will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday at both the Twins Academy at the Lee County Sports Complex and the ticket office in the team store of the team store at JetBlue Park. Fans can also call to order tickets at (239) 768-4210 or online at www.miraclebaseball.com.
Florida State League Stories from August 31, 2014
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- Bradenton Marauders Playoff Bound - Bradenton Marauders
- Threshers Sweep Flying Tigers in Season Finale - Clearwater Threshers
- Miracle Crush Jupiter, 14-1, on Sunday Morning - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Mets Close out Season with 4-2 Win over Cardinals - St. Lucie Mets
- Season Closes with Loss to Fort Myers - Jupiter Hammerheads
- Flying Tigers Set New Attendance Record - Lakeland Flying Tigers
- Mets Still Alive - St. Lucie Mets
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