FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Tortuga Shell Miracle, 8-1, in Daytona

July 31, 2015 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 31, 2015) - The Daytona Tortugas defeated the Fort Myers Miracle, 8-1, on Friday evening at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

The Tortugas struck for a three-run third inning against Miracle starter Kohl Stewart. Brian O'Grady started the frame with an infield hit, then advanced to second on a weak chopper off the bat of Carlton Daal. Stewart (4-7) threw out Daal., but a wild pitch moved O'Grady to third. Phillip Ervin then bounced a single up the middle with the infield drawn-in to score O'Grady.

Junior Arias followed with a base hit. Stewart then uncorked a second wild pitch with Alex Blandino on the mound to move the runners to second and third. Blandino then was retired on a grounder to short, but Ervin scored. Sebastian Elizalde lined a single into center field to plate Arias and put the Tortugas up 3-0.

In the sixth, Daytona put four more runs on the board. Stewart hit Blandino with a pitch to put the lead-off man aboard. A wild pitch sent Blandino to second, then Elizalde ripped a triple off the center field wall and Blandino raced home. The next batter, Taylor Sparks, cued a ground ball down the first base line for an infield single. Elizalde scored to give Sparks an RBI. After Chad Wallach popped out to first, Joe Hudson smacked a two-run homer to left field to give the Tortugas a 7-0 advantage and end Stewart's night.

In 5.1 innings, Stewart allowed seven runs on seven hits with one walk and one strikeout. Zack Jones came in the game and retired all five hitters faced over a 1.2 inning stint with three punch outs.

The only Miracle run came in the seventh. Marcus Knecht reached on a lead-off walk against Daytona reliever Jimmy Moran. Ryan Walker lofted a double down the right field line and Knecht advanced to third. Moran struck out Chad Christensen, but T.J. White sent a deep fly ball into right center on a 3-1 pitch. Arias made the grab and Knecht tagged from third to cross home, 7-1.

Tyler Jay made an appearance in the eighth and surrendered one run on an RBI double from Wallach.

Daytona starter Jackson Stephens was perfect through the first 3.2 innings until hitting Mitch Garver with a pitch. Stephens (10-6) didn't allow a hit until there were two out in the fourth, a line drive single by White. Over six frames, Stephens gave up two hits and struck out five.

The Miracle (59-47, 21-15) lock horns with the Tortugas (56-47, 18-15) on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Aaron Slegers (8-5) is set to take the hill against lefty Nick Routt (4-1) for the Tortugas. Fans can listen online at www.miraclebaseball.com with the "Voice of the Miracle" Brice Zimmerman.

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Florida State League Stories from July 31, 2015


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