FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Miracle Snap Losing Streak with 5-4 Comeback Win

Published on August 4, 2012 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Fort Myers Miracle capitalized on three seventh inning errors by the St. Lucie Mets to complete a 5-4 comeback victory and snap a five game losing streak at Digital Domain Park on Saturday night.

Trailing 4-2 entering the seventh, the first three Miracle hitters of the inning reached on St. Lucie starter Logan Verrett from errors by the Mets' infield. Leading off, Michael Gonzales hit a chopper to third that Aderlin Rodriguez could not handle. Then, Angel Morales grounded to the right side and second baseman Danny Muno attempted to cut down the lead runner, but his throw was errant.

With runners on first and second, Danny Ortiz attempted to lay down a sacrifice bunt on the right side off St. Lucie reliever Jack Leathersich. Mets first baseman Richard Lucas charged and also tried to retire the lead runner at third, but his throw sailed out of the reach of Rodriguez and Fort Myers' Gonzales scored to shave the St. Lucie lead to 4-3.

Andy Leer stepped up for the Miracle with runners at second and third and hit a grounder to the right side. Leer was retired at first, but Morales scored to tie the game and Ortiz advanced to third.

The game now squared at 4-4, Daniel Santana poked a 2-2 pitch from Leathersich (1-4) into left field for a run-scoring double.

Holding a 5-4 advantage, Miracle reliever Miguel Munoz ran into trouble in the bottom of the seventh when a walk to Aderlin Rodriguez loaded the bases with two outs. Manager Jake Mauer called on the bullpen and 6-7, 225-pound right-hander Michael Tonkin. The Palmdale, Calif. native promptly struck out Lucas to end the inning.

Tonkin remained on and tossed scoreless frames, registering four strikeouts, in the eight and ninth to pick up his fourth save of the season. Munoz (2-6) earned the victory with 2.2 innings of scoreless work in relief.

Fort Myers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a two-out RBI single from Lance Ray, but the Mets answered when Corey Vaughn retaliated with a two-out, run-scoring base hit of his own.

The Mets pushed ahead in the second on a Cesar Puello RBI single off Miracle starter Cole Nelson. T.J. Rivera would expand the lead to 4-1 with a base hit that drove in a pair in the fourth.

With the Miracle mired in a five game winless streak, Josmil Pinto stoked the comeback fire in the sixth inning with a tape measure solo homerun off Verrett. Pinto unloaded on a 1-1 pitch for his 11th longball of the season and his fifth in the last 10 games.

Fort Myers (48-63, 20-24) will meet St. Lucie (69-42, 20-23) in the rubber match on Sunday afternoon at Digital Domain Park. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. with the State Farm pregame show airing at 12:40 at www.miraclebaseball.com.

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Florida State League Stories from August 4, 2012


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