FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Tortugas Salvage Series Split with 4-1 Win in Finale

April 18, 2016 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Daytona Tortugas earned a series split with the Fort Myers Miracle after a 4-1 win at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Monday night.

The Miracle scratched out a run in the top of the second inning. Tortugas starter Tyler Mahle struck Chris Paul with the second pitch of the at-bat to put a runner at first base. Ryan Walker then lined a 1-1 pitch through the right side and into the outfield. Paul went first to third on the play. With runners on the corners, Alex Real hit a high chopper to second base. Blake Butler retired Real at first, but Paul scored to give the Miracle a 1-0 lead.

Daytona answered in the bottom of the second without the benefit of a hit. Miracle starter Randy Rosario walked the first two batters, Angelo Gumbs and Avain Rachal. Rosario (1-1) then got Taylor Sparks to hit a grounder to short, but Nick Gordon couldn't handle a tough bounce and was charged with an error. Blake Butler then sent a fly to right field. Edgar Corcino caught the ball for an out, but Gumbs tagged and scored from third base to tie the game, 1-1.

In the fifth, the Tortugas pushed ahead. Sparks doubled down the third base line to begin the frame and moved to second on Butler's ground out to second. After Rosario issued a walk to Chad Tromp, Jonathan Reynoso drove in a run by beating out a double play on a chopper to first base, 2-1.

Rosario went 5.1 innings with two runs allowed on five hits with three walks and no strikeouts. Todd Van Steensel replaced Rosario in the sixth and entered with the bases loaded and one out. Van Steensel induced a 6-4-3 double play to get out of the jam.

Mahle (1-0) exited the game after seven innings with nine strikeouts, no walks and one run give up.

Daytona added a pair of insurance runs in the eighth. Van Steensel worked a scoreless seventh, but the Tortugas tagged Miracle reliever Luke Bard for two two-out RBI in the ninth. Aristides Aquino had an RBI single and Gumbs sliced a run-scoring triple into right center field to put Daytona up 4-1.

The Miracle (7-4) return to Hammond Stadium on Tuesday evening to open up a six-game homestand and series of three with the Jupiter Hammerheads. Left-hander Stephen Gonsalves (1-1) will toe the rubber for the Miracle opposite lefty Michael Mader (0-0) for the Hammerheads.

It's a 2-for-1 Tuesday and fans can take advantage of a special buy one, get one ticket offer by bringing a copy of the News-Press to the Miracle box office. Fans can also get 2-for-1 tickets buy bringing an April 19 receipt from Bob Evans Restaurants. Once inside the gates, all fans can enjoy BOGO hot dogs, 12 oz. domestic draft beers and fountain soda. For more information, call the Miracle offices at (239) 768-4210 or visit www.miraclebaseball.com.

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Florida State League Stories from April 18, 2016


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