Whitefield Plays Hero As Streak Reaches Four

Published on July 19, 2018 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Fort Myers Miracle pushed their season-high winning streak to four after a 4-3, 10-inning win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Thursday Night at Hammond Stadium.

With two outs and a runner at second in the 10th, Aaron Whitefield blooped a single down the line in right to score Ben Rortvedt and set off a raucous celebration in the middle of the diamond.

For the fourth straight night, the Miracle scored in the first inning. With a run already in on a Lewin Diaz sacrifice fly, Rortvedt plated two more with a single to center to give Fort Myers the early 3-0 lead.

Lakeland scored single runs in the third and fourth to close the gap to 3-2, before tying the game in the sixth on a Royce Lewis fielding error.

The game would stay tied at three until Whitefield's heroics in the 10th.

Miracle starter Griffin Jax went seven innings and allowed three runs (one earned). The right-hander, who earned a no decision, has not allowed more than three runs in any of his seven starts this season. Jovani Moran (2-0) earned his second win of the year with three scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

Matt Manning started for the Flying Tigers and took a no decision after pitching 6.2 innings. After surrendering three first inning runs, Manning retired 16-straight batters before leaving after a two-out walk in the seventh. The former first round pick walked five and struck out six.

Brandyn Sittinger tossed 0.1 innings before giving way to Drew Carlton. Carlton (4-2), took the loss after allowing a run in 2.2 innings of work.

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