FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Miracle Swept as Tigers Clinch First Half Western Division Title

Published on June 13, 2005 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


LAKELAND, FL (June 13, 2005) – It was the type of game you would expect when one team is trying to clinch a division title. Great pitching, solid defense and timely hitting, unfortunately, for the Fort Myers Miracle they were on the losing end as they watched the Lakeland Tigers celebrate on the field in a 2-1 11 inning Tiger victory at Joker Marchant Stadium on Monday afternoon.

The Miracle survived two close calls in the ninth and 10th, but in the 11th the Tigers used one of their key guys to help them score the winning run. Juan Francia led off the 11th by slapping a grounder to short, but the speedy second baseman flew down the line and beat the play at first. An errant pick off throw to first by Jannio Gutierrez allowed Francia to go to second. Gutierrez intentionally walked Vincent Blue. He then struck out Brent Clevlen, but on strike three Francia and Blue pulled off a double steal. Gutierrez intentionally walked Kelly Hunt and with the infield and outfield drawn in, Derek Nicholson hit a fly ball single to center that scored Francia for the division clinching run.

The two starters, Miracle RHP Scott Tyler and Tiger RHP Nathan Bumstead were nearly flawless. Tyler went seven innings allowing one run on two hits while walking three and striking out eight, while Bumstead went eight innings allowing one run on six hits while walking two and striking out one.

The Miracle got on the board first in the fifth inning when they loaded the base with nobody out. Matt Tolbert, however, hit a grounder to first that forced the runner, Brock Peterson, at the plate. Trent Oeltjen followed with a sacrifice fly to center that scored Omar Burgos, but Ron Perodin was then thrown out trying to go to third on the play.

The Tigers scored their first run in the sixth, when Danilo Sandhez line a ball to right that Burgos misplayed into a double. After a sac bunt by Scott Tousa moved him to third and a walk to Francia, Blue hit a sac fly to center that scored Sanchez.

Miracle reliever Julio DePaula was solid in his three innings of work allowing just one hit while walking one and striking out one.

The Miracle now head home to take on the Clearwater Threshers for a four game series. They begin on Tuesday with a double header beginning at 5:05 p.m. The Miracle send RHP Adam Harben (5-4, 3.17) in game one and are TBA in game two. Both games are scheduled for seven innings.

Check out the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Florida State League Stories from June 13, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central