Walker Sparks Rally, Miracle Come Back for 7-4 Victory
Published on May 30, 2014 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release
CLEARWATER, Fla. (May 30, 2014) - Adam Brett Walker smashed two home runs and helped the Fort Myers Miracle erase a three-run deficit in the eighth inning for come-from-behind 7-4 win over the Clearwater Threshers on Friday evening at Bright House Field.
Trailing 4-1 entering the eighth inning, Walker ignited a five-run offensive outburst with his 10th home run of the season. On an 0-1 pitch from Clearwater reliever Jordan Guth, Walker crushed a solo shot to deep left center field to cut the Thresher lead to a pair of runs.
Guth (1-2) then walked Dalton Hicks and Tyler Grimes. Kepler laid down a sacrifice bunt to the third base side to move the runners over, but K.C. Serna throw pulled Angelo Mora off the bag to load the bases. Mike Gonzales then stepped up to the plate. On a 1-2 delivery, Gonzales sliced a bases clearing double into the left field corner to put Fort Myers on top 5-4.
Aderling Mejia then reached on an error by Mora. With runners on the corners, Jorge Polanco hit a sacrifice fly into left that scored Gonzales and pushed the Miracle lead to 6-4.
Walker put a cap on the scoring in the ninth with another tape measure solo homer. His Florida State League leading 12th of the season, Walker sent a majestic drive into Frenchy's, a bar in straight away left at Bright House Field.
Finishing the evening 3-for-5, Walker registered two homers, a double, two runs scored and two RBI.
Mason Melotakis qualified for the win out of the Miracle bullpen entering in the seventh inning. Melotakis (2-1) tossed a scoreless frame. Tim Shibuya then closed the door with a two-inning save in the eighth and ninth. The save was Shibuya's first of the season.
Fort Myers' late rally erased a 4-0 lead for the Threshers through the first four innings on nine hits.
The Threshers scored two runs against Miracle starter Brett Lee in the second. With two outs and bases empty, Gabriel Lino singled off Lee up the middle. Brian Pointer then lifted a fly ball into the gap in left center that tipped off of Eddie Rosario's glove on a diving attempt. Pointer's double brought in Lino to score the first run of the game, 1-0.
Malquin Canelo followed Pointer's double with a single into center field for a RBI.
Clearwater picked up a third run in third inning on a RBI fielder's choice from Brandon Short and Pointer tallied his second RBI double in the fourth to extend the lead to 4-0.
The Miracle got on the board in the fifth inning against Clearwater starter Adam Loewen. Gonzales, Polanco and Goodrum worked walks to load the bases. Eddie Rosario picked up his first hit of the season with a liner into right field that scored Gonzales from third.
The hit for Rosario was his first since returning to action after serving a 50-game suspension for use of a banned substance.
Lee went three innings in a no decision and allowed three runs on six hits. Alex Wimmers pitched three innings in relief and gave up one run on three hits.
The Miracle (31-22) are now a half-game ahead of the St. Lucie Mets in the FSL South and return to Hammond Stadium to open up a four-game set with the Tampa Yankees. Fans that enjoy hitting the links will want to head to the ballpark on Saturday for Golf Appreciaiton Night. Hundreds of foursomes and other golf-related prizes will be given out to fans in attendance. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. and the gates open at 5 p.m.
Florida State League Stories from May 30, 2014
- Brevard's Pitching Baffles St. Lucie Again in 3-1 Win - Brevard County Manatees
- Hammerheads Swept by Flying Tigers - Jupiter Hammerheads
- Manatees Beat Slumping Mets 3-1 - St. Lucie Mets
- Five-Run 8th Sends Threshers to Loss - Clearwater Threshers
- Walker Sparks Rally, Miracle Come Back for 7-4 Victory - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Battling for Control: Ethan Stewart - Clearwater Threshers
- Yankees to Kick Off June with Four Game Home stand at Steinbrenner Field - Tampa Yankees
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