FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Miracle Rally in the Seventh for a 3-2 Victory

Published on April 8, 2016 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Fort Myers Miracle notched the first win of the 2016 season with a come from behind 3-2 win over the Bradenton Marauders on Friday night at Hammond Stadium in front 8,389 fans.

Down 2-1 after the stretch, Trey Vavra ignited the rally after being struck by an 0-2 pitch from Bradenton reliever Miguel Rosario. Logan Wade followed with a base hit into right center and Vavra went first to third. Then, Alex Real jumped on a first pitch from Rosario (0-1) and lined an RBI hit into center field to tie the game. With runners and first and second base, Chad Christensen laid down a sacrifice bunt to push Wade to third and Real to second.

The Marauders went to the bullpen and brought in Henry Hirsch. Ryan Walker worked a 2-2 count before smashing a single up the middle with the infield in. Wade trotted home and the Miracle took a 3-2 advantage.

In the eighth, the Miracle brought in Yorman Landa to pitch. Landa maneuvered around a lead-off single from Kevin Newman and a throwing error on a pick-off attempt. Walker tracked down the loose ball in shallow right field and threw out Newman attempting to advance to third. Landa retired the side.

For the ninth, Miracle manager Jeff Smith turned to Trevor Hildenberger. Jerrick Suiter greeted Hildenberger with an infield hit, but rallied to fan Jordan Luplow and Michael Suchy. The Marauders won a brief stay of execution with a Taylor Gushue infield single. Hildenberger then nailed down his first save of the season by getting Elvis Escobar to fly out to center field.

Escobar had given the Marauders the lead in the fifth with a two-run homer. Miracle starter Kohl Stewart was cruising early and retired the first 11 batters he faced. In the fifth, Stewart retired the first two Marauders, but walked Chase Simpson. Escobar then hijacked a first pitch for a 386-foot blast into the right field drink rails to put Bradenton up, 2-0. Stewart returned for the sixth and tossed a scoreless frame to tally a quality start. The Twins first round pick in 2013 totaled seven strikeouts with one walk and four hits allowed.

The Miracle cut into the Bradenton lead in the sixth after Marauder starter Brandon Waddell faced just one over the minimum in five frames. Rosario entered in the sixth and the Miracle took advantage of poor defense in center field. With one out and Walker at second, Nick Gordon stung a single into center field. Escobar charged in with Walker on the way to third, but misplayed the baseball. Walker scored on the error.

After the Miracle sliced the Marauders lead in half in the sixth, Luke Westphal earned the win after a scoreless top of the seventh. Westphal (1-0) faced four batters and picked up two strikeouts and a walk.

Real finished his Miracle debut 2-for-3 with an RBI and Walker was 2-for-2 with a walk, RBI and run scored.

The Miracle (1-1) continue the series with the Marauders (1-1) in Bradenton at McKechnie Field on Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. Fans can catch the action on the MiracleBaseball.com pregame show beginning at 6:05 p.m. LHP Tyler Jay will make his 2016 debut for the Miracle and his first professional start against RHP Colten Brewer for Bradenton.

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Florida State League Stories from April 8, 2016


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