Walker, Polanco Go Yard, Miracle Top Blue Jays 4-2
Published on May 23, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release
DUNEDIN, Fla. (May 23, 2014) - The Fort Myers Miracle earned a series split with the Dunedin Blue Jays with a 4-2 win on Friday night at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.
Adam Brett Walker gave the Miracle an early 1-0, swatting a solo home run off Dunedin starter Taylor Cole. On a 1-0 pitch, Walker hammered a fastball into the tree line beyond the wall in left field.
Fort Myers added another run off Cole in the top of the third. Tyler Grimes led off by beating out an infield hit to third. A ground out to second by Kepler moved Grimes into scoring position at second base. Aderling Mejia then looped a single into left to bring in Grimes and give the Miracle a 2-0 advantage.
In the fourth, the Blue Jays cut Fort Myers' lead in half. Marcus Knecht reached on an infield hit. After a K.C. Hobson fly out to right, Derrick Chung doubled down the third base line to put runners at second and third against Miracle starter Jason Wheeler. Gustavo Pierre then singled through the left side to bring in Knecht, 2-1.
Dunedin drew even against Wheeler (3-4) in the fifth. With one out, Smith, Jr. lifted a high pop up on the infield that Dalton Hicks could not catch. The error allowed Smith, Jr. to reach first. Knecht then tripled into the right center gap to tie the game, 2-2.
Jorge Polanco put Fort Myers into the lead in the top of the sixth with his third home run of the season. On a 2-0 pitch from Cole (3-2), Polanco launced a soaring drive beyond the wall in right field and regain a 3-2 lead for the Miracle.
Cole exited with two outs and nobody on in the seventh after recorded a season-high 10 strikeouts. Justin Jackson took over for the Blue Jays and gave up a pair of singles and a walk to load the bases. Jackson then struck Mejia with a 1-0 pitch to bring in another Miracle run, 4-2.
Wheeler earned the victory pitching six strong innings and allowing two runs, one earned, with one walk and four punch outs. Brian Gilbert pitched two scoreless innings in relief and Tyler Jones nailed down his third save by retiring the side in the ninth.
The Miracle (26-21) return to Hammond Stadium on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. to take on the Jupiter Hammerheads. Gates open at 5 p.m. and fans can enjoy a postgame fireworks display in honor of Memorial Weekend presented by Dairy Queen, Coors Light and 102.9 BOB FM. Active military and veterans receive a free ticket to the game. For tickets, call (239) 768-4210, visit the Hammond Stadium box office or order online at www.miraclebaseball.com.
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