FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Miracle Find Offense, Finally Beat Blue Jays 8-2

Published on July 2, 2006 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


FORT MYERS, FL (July 2, 2006) - With the Fort Myers Miracle offense averaging less than two runs per game over the last week and having lost five straight to the Dunedin Blue Jays, the Miracle felt like they were due. Their time came Sunday afternoon in an 8-2 victory over the Blue Jays at Hammond Stadium.

It was the best fielding team in the Florida State League, the Blue Jays, who found themselves committing the errors on Sunday. In the first inning Brandon Roberts led off with a double to left. He moved to third on a ground out by Trevor Plouffe and scored when Eric Arnold made a diving play on David Winfree's grounder, but his throw tipped off the first baseman's glove. It went for a hit and an error that allowed Winfree to take second.

The Blue Jays tied it in the third when Juan Peralta singled with one out. With two outs Ryan Patterson reached on an infield single to short and Robinson Diaz' ground ball off of Miracle pitcher Jay Sawatski's leg scored Peralta. Sawatski went 5.0 innings allowing two runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out three.

The Blue Jays took their only lead in the fifth when Peralta reached on an infield single. One out later he moved to third on Patterson's single and scored on a single by Eric Nielsen.

The lead was short lived as the Miracle put up three in the bottom of the fifth. Erold Andrus led off with a double to left and scored on Deacon Burns' single to center. One out later Steve Tolleson launched one over the left-center field wall for a two run homer, his first of the season, to give the Miracle a 4-2 lead.

The Miracle put the game away in the seventh when they loaded the bases to start the inning. Burns led off with a single, Roberts walked and Tolleson's sac bunt was dropped by the pitcher as he went to pick it up. Tolleson finished the day 2-3, with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored. Trevor Plouffe followed with a sac fly to make it 5-2. David Winfree added an RBI single that put runners at first and second. An errant pick off attempt by Danny Core allowed Tolleson to score from second and sent Winfree to third. Kyle Geiger finished the scoring with an RBI single to left.

The Miracle relievers tossed four shutout innings with Jose Mijares going three perfect and striking out four. Tim Lahey finished the game up in the ninth allowing one hit and striking out one.

The same two teams meet Monday night in the finale of the three game series at Hammond Stadium at 7:05 p.m. The Miracle send RHP Anthony Swarzak (3-5, 4.61) to the mound against Blue Jays RHP Billy Carnline (2-0, 3.00). The game can be heard live on Sports Radio 770 ESPN with the pre-game show beginning at 6:45 p.m. It is Independence Fireworks Night presented by Budweiser, Modern Service, Seminole Casino, WXKB 103.9 and WJPT 106.3.

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Florida State League Stories from July 2, 2006


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