FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Walker, Miracle Pick up 4-3 Win in Grand Fashion

Published on May 14, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


VIERA, Fla. (May 14, 2014) - Adam Brett Walker's first inning grand slam held the test of nine innings to lead the Fort Myers Miracle to a 4-3 win over the Brevard County Manatees on Wednesday morning at Space Coast Stadium.

In the first, the Miracle capitalized on a couple of walks from Manatees starter Jed Bradley. After retiring Aderling Mejia to start the game, Bradley (4-2) surrendered a single to Niko Goodrum, then issued a free pass to Jorge Polanco. On a double steal attempt, Polanco was erased at second base by Manatees catcher Parker Berberet.

Bradley then walked Dalton Hicks and struck Travis Harrison with 2-2 pitch to load the bases. Adam Brett Walker stepped to the dish and delivered a bases clearing grand slam to give the Miracle a 4-0 lead. On a 1-1 pitch, Walker lifted a Bradley pitch over the leaping glove of right fielder Nathan Orf and the fence. The homer was Walker's sixth of the year.

The Manatees returned fire in the bottom of the first, picking up a pair of runs off Miracle starter David Hurlbut. After a pair of singles to start the inning from Nathan Orf and Orlando Arcia, Tyrone Taylor drove in a run on a fielder's choice and Cameron Garfield picked up a RBI on a sacrifice fly to center, 4-2.

Hurlbut (3-1) settled down to deliver seven innings for the Miracle and pick up the win. The two runs, one earned, were the only allowed by Hurlbut while scattering eight hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Since moving into the rotation, Hurlbut has allowed no more than two runs in a game.

Manager Doug Mientkiewicz allowed Hurlbut to come out to face Taylor in the eighth. The Manatees center fielder doubled and Hurlbut exited in favor of reliever Tim Shibuya.

Shibuya navigated the lead-off double and tossed a scoreless eighth. Tyler Jones entered in a save opportunity and walked the first two hitters. Brandon Macias then laid down a bunt for a single to load the bases with no outs. Jones then got Orf flew out to center field. Then, Arcia drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to cut the Miracle lead to one, 4-3.

Jones then got Taylor to hit into a force play at second base to end the game. The save was Jones' second of the season.

Goodrum finished the game 3-for-4 and Walker was 2-for-4 with four RBI. Jorge Polanco extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a single in the fifth inning.

The Miracle (23-16) go for the series sweep over the Manatees (20-18) on Thursday evening at Space Coast Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. Fans can listen to the action with the 'Voice of the Miracle' Brice Zimmerman on www.miraclebaseball.com.

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Florida State League Stories from May 14, 2014


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