FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Past comes back to haunt Miracle in 2-1 loss

Published on June 14, 2006 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


SARASOTA, FL (June 14, 2006) - In 2003 Jim Abbott helped the Fort Myers Miracle win the first half division title. In 2006 he may have prevented them from having any chance of duplicating the feat as he nailed down his third save of the season in a 2-1 Miracle loss to the Sarasota Reds at Ed Smith Stadium on Wednesday night.

Abbott, who was second in the league in ERA in 2003 before being called up at the All-Star break, came into the game with two outs and a runner at first in the eighth inning. He got Brock Peterson to pop out to end the inning. He made quick work of the Miracle in the ninth striking out Kyle Geiger and Luke Hughes and getting Jeremy Pickrel to bounce back to him to end the game. The loss by the Miracle coupled with Dunedin's victory earlier in the afternoon means the Miracle now trail the Blue Jays by a game with four to play. If the two teams finished tied for first the Miracle lose the tie breaker by virtue of losing the season series 3-2.

The Miracle, who fell to 36-30, took the lead in the third inning when Trevor Plouffe led off with a single to center. Korey Feiner followed with a double to left-center that put runners at second and third. Alexi Casilla's grounder to second was booted by Drew Anderson which allowed Plouffe to score and Casilla to reach safely. Casilla then stole second which put runners at second and third. Matt Tolbert flew out to shallow center and Feiner bluffed the tag at third, but Casilla went too far off the bag at second and was doubled up. Garrett Guzman ended the inning with a ground out.

The Miracle had a chance to extend their lead in the fifth when Plouffe reached on an infield single with one out. Feiner was then hit by a pitch and after Casilla lined out to third, Tolbert singled to center. Plouffe tried to score, but was thrown out at the plate.

Miracle starter Brian Duensing was spectacular for the second straight start going 4.1 perfect innings before giving up a bloop single to Jeremiah Piepkorn with one out in the fifth. The blooper was the theme for Duensing one inning later. In the sixth Marland Williams reached on Luke Hughes' fielding error. Duensing got Brandon Roberts to line out to center, but then three straight dunkers cost the Miracle the lead. Anderson looped one into right center that sent Williams to third. Paul Janish lofted one just inside the right field line for a double that scored Williams to tie the game at one. Adam Rosales then followed with a looper to center that gave the Reds the 2-1 lead, which proved to be enough. Duensing went 7.0 innings allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits while walking one and striking out five.

The Miracle will look to rebound Thursday night, in the final game before the All-Star break, against the Sarasota Reds at Ed Smith Stadium at 7:00 p.m. The Miracle send RHP Anthony Swarzak (3-3, 4.29) to the hill against Reds RHP James Avery (2-3, 5.40).

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Florida State League Stories from June 14, 2006


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