Miracle win series on Bigley's walkoff single
August 30, 2009 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release
FORT MYERS -- The Fort Myers Miracle and Jupiter Hammerheads played a fantastic final series at Hammond Stadium all weekend with all three games decided by at most two runs.
The finale was a fitting finish as Fort Myers came from behind to win, 3-2, in ten innings.
The Hammerheads scored first, in the second, to take an early 1-0 lead, but the Miracle tied it up in the fifth. No one came across the plate until the tenth inning when Jupiter plated one to take a 2-1 advantage. But the Miracle simply would not be denied in the bottom of the ninth against Kris Harvey (6-7), who fell to 2-1 against Fort Myers this season.
Harvey got it started with a walk to Nick Romero, who reached second on a Rene Leveret single. Joe Benson pinch-ran for the big first baseman, and Jair Fernandez laid down a perfect sac bunt to the pitcher to advance runners to second and third. Estarlin de los Santos pinch-hit for Chris Cates, drawing an intentional walk to load the bases.
Ben Revere came up with just one out and grounded into a forceout, second baseman Ryan Curry to catcher Miguel Fermin. But Revere's game- changing speed kept the Miracle out of a double play. Up came Mark Dolenc, who beat out an infield single to third base as Benson scored to tie the game. On two straight plays, the speed of Revere and Dolenc kept the team alive.
That set things up for Evan Bigley, who singled to deep right-center off Harvey to bring in de los Santos with the winning run. The team mobbed Bigley at second base in celebration as Fort Myers wrapped its final homestand of the regular season in grand fashion.
Michael Tarsi received a no decision for seven sterling innings of just one earned run on five hits, with two walks and three strikeouts. Tom Koehler was equally impressive for the visitors with six innings of just one unearned run on four hits. He also walked two and struck out three.
Harvey took the loss with two earned on four hits in one and two- thirds. He also walked three. Mike Allen threw a scoreless eighth inning for Fort Myers and Joe Testa (5-0) recorded the win in relief. He gave up a solo homer in the top of the tenth, but finished two innings to get the win when the Miracle came back.
Fort Myers finished the season 40-29 at home. The team's next game will be Tuesday night at St. Lucie.
Florida State League Stories from August 30, 2009
- Cubs Drop Home Finale - Daytona Tortugas
- Miracle win series on Bigley's walkoff single - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
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