FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Murphy's Two-Run Single Helps Miracle to 6-5 Win

Published on April 16, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (April 16, 2014) - Jonathan Murphy's two-out, two-run single in the top of the eighth inning ended up as the game-winning hit in a 6-5 win for the Fort Myers Miracle over the Charlotte Stone Crabs on Wednesday morning at Charlotte Sports Park.

Trailing 4-2 entering the eighth, Stone Crabs reliever Jose Molina retired the first two hitters before Max Kepler beat out a ground ball to first for an infield hit. With Kepler at first, Adam Brett Walker smoked a double off the center field wall. On a 2-1 pitch from Molina (0-1), Walker hit a lined rocket that scored Kepler and cut the Stone Crabs lead to 4-3.

Molina then hit Mike Gonzales with a pitch and was replaced by reliever Ryan Garton. Travis Harrison greeted Garton with a single into right that plated Walker and tied the game, 4-4. With runners at second and third, Murphy stepped up and delivered the eventual game-winning blow. On a 2-2 pitch, Murphy laced a single into right center to plate both Gonazles and Harrison and give the Miracle a 6-4 lead.

Brian Gilbert entered in the eighth inning and navigated multiple base runners to pick up his second save. Gilbert did give up a RBI triple to Andrew Toles in the eighth, but finished the last two innings with a three hits, two walks and a strikeout.

The Stone Crabs jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a run in each of the first and second innings off Miracle starter Tyler Duffey. With two outs in the first, Tommy Coyle started a rally with a soft hit into left field. Duffey the walked Patrick Leonard to put runners at first and second. Kes Carter then lined a base hit into right on the first pitch to plate Coyle and give the Stone Crabs a 1-0 advantage.

In the second with one out, Duffey gave up a single to Max Tissenbaum. Tyler Goeddel then sent a high fly ball to deep left field. Travis Harrison slipped on the warning track and the ball deflected off his glove. Tissenbaum scored and Goeddel raced to third for a run-scoring triple.

The Miracle cut the lead in half in the fourth inning. Max Kepler led off with a triple down the right field line off Stone Crabs starter Reinaldo Lopez. Kepler then scored on a ground out to second by Adam Brett Walker, 2-1.

In the fifth, the Miracle briefly tied the game. Jonathan Murphy walked on four pitches from Lopez. Jairo Rodriguez then doubled down the right field line scoring Murphy from first base drawing Fort Myers even, 2-2.

The tie didn't last long as the Stone Crabs pushed across two against Duffey in the fifth. Coyle started with a single into right to begin the inning. Leonard doubled down the third base line to put two in scoring position for Carter. On the first pitch, Carter laced a single to right to bring in Coyle. After Mary Gantt flew out to shallow center, Josh Sale sliced a 3-2 offering into right field to bring Leonard home, 4-2.

Duffey exited and Steven Gruver entered the game from the Miracle bullpen. Gruver (1-0) got out of the fifth by inducing a double play and then pitched the next two innings scoreless for the win.

Stone Crabs starter Reinaldo Lopez received a no decision after six innings allowing two runs on three hits with five strikeouts. Duffey also registered a no decision with four runs allowed on nine hits, two walks and two strikeouts.

The Miracle (8-5) return to Hammond Stadium to open up a three-game series with the St. Lucie Mets on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Fans can enjoy half-priced domestic draft beers through the seventh inning. For tickets, call (239) 768-4210 or visit www.miraclebaseball.com.

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Florida State League Stories from April 16, 2014


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