FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Miracle Win Battle of All-Star Hurlers 6-1

Published on June 30, 2005 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


FORT MYERS, FL (June 30, 2005) - It was a battle of All-Star hurlers on Thursday night at Hammond Stadium as Nick Blackburn of the Miracle out-dueled Yankee starter Tyler Clippard in a 6-1 Miracle victory.

Blackburn, who has gone at least six innings in 10 of his first 12 starts, did it again hurling seven innings allowing one run on eight hits while walking one and striking out one. Despite struggling a little with his control, he managed to throw 94 pitches, 57 for strikes. When he needed a big out he got it from his defense.

In the first inning after a lead off walk he got Grant Plumley to ground into a double play. With the Miracle leading 2-1 in the sixth, the Yankees had a runner at first and one out. John Urick doubled down the right field line. Plumley tried to score from first, but right fielder Scott Whitrock, hit relay man Brock Peterson, who fired a strike to the plate to nail Plumley.

Peterson then did it with the bat in the bottom of the sixth. With one on and two out Peterson stroked his eighth homer of the season, a two run shot to left that gave the Miracle a 4-1 lead. Peterson finished the night 2-4 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored.

The Miracle added two insurance runs in the eighth. With JR Taylor on at first after a lead off single, catcher Kyle Phillips hit a lined shot off the right field wall that scored Taylor. Phillips wound up with a triple, the second in his four year career. He later scored on a balk.

The Miracle got on the board first on Matt Tolbert's lead off homer in the bottom of the first, his third home run of the season and second lead off dinger in three games. With the score tied at one in the fourth Trent Oeltjen doubled home Peterson to make it 2-1. Oeltjen finished the night 2-4 with two doubles and an RBI.

Chris Schutt tossed the final two innings allowing just one hit to pick up his fourth save of the season.

The same two teams meet in the finale of the series Friday night at 7:05 p.m at Hammond Stadium. The Miracle send RHP Scott Tyler (5-3, 3.72) to the hill against Yankee RHP Brett Smith (3-3, 5.66).

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Florida State League Stories from June 30, 2005


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