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Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Tampa Knocks off the Miracle, 3-1, in Extra Frames

April 15, 2015 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 15, 2015) - The Tampa Yankees scored a pair of runs in the top of the eleventh inning to outlast the Fort Myers Miracle, 3-1, at Hammond Stadium on Wednesday night.

After two scoreless frames in the ninth and tenth in a 1-1 tie, Miracle reliever Alex Muren allowed a lead-off single to Mark Payton to start the eleventh. Tyler Wade then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Payton up to second base. Muren (0-1) exited the game after walking Vicente Conde. Brian Gilbert took over on the mound and served up a 2-0 pitch to Mike Ford that was driven off the wall in right center, scoring Payton.

Gilbert then walked Matt Snyder to bring up Kyle Higashioka. On an 0-1 pitch, Higashioka hit a chopper to third base. Goodrum lept up and grabbed the ball, tagged third to retire Ford, but Higashioka beat the throw to first to allow another Yankee run to score, 3-1.

Tampa called on Conor Mullee to close the door. Mullee faced four batters and retired the side to record the save.

The Miracle wasted a splendid start from Twins No. 4 prospect Kohl Stewart. Over a career-high eight innings, Stewart scattered eight hits and two walks while fanning three. Recording 14 outs on the ground, Stewart left the game by stranding the potential go-ahead run at third base and striking out Vicente Conde.

The Yankees only run off Stewart came in the fifth inning. Ericson Leonora led off with a single into center, but was caught stealing by Miracle catcher Mitch Garver. Then, Claudio Custodio was struck by a Stewart fastball, but was forced out at second on a fielder's choice hit into by Payton.

With two out and a runner at first, Stewart lost control of a pitch to Wade and Payton moved to second on a wild pitch. After working a full count, Wade dropped a single into left and Payton raced home for a 1-0 Tampa lead.

Fort Myers answered in the bottom of the inning, bringing in an unearned run against Yankees starter Rookie Davis. Aderling Mejia reached on a fielding error by second baseman Angelo Gumbs and moved to second on a wild pitch. Marcus Knecht then beat out an infield single to put runners on the corners with no outs. Jason Kanzler tallied his first RBI of the season with a deep fly ball to center field that allowed Mejia to tag up and score from third, 1-1.

Tampa's bullpen held the Miracle at bay the rest of the game. Luis Niebla tossed two scoreless frames and Andury Acevado escaped a jam unscathed in the eighth inning for a clean inning. Evan Rutckyj tossed the ninth and tenth without issue to earn the win. Rutckyj (1-0) surrendered just one hit and struck out one.

The Miracle (3-4) look to split the series with the Yankees on Thursday at Hammond Stadium for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. Aaron Slegers (1-0) is set to take the hill for the Miracle. Fans can take advantage of half price domestic draft beer through the seventh inning with the first Thirsty Thursday of the season. Gates open at 6 p.m.

For tickets and information, call the Miracle offices at (239) 768-4210 or order online at www.miraclebaseball.com.

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