CLEARWATER, Fla. (August 23, 2017) - The Fort Myers Miracle (38-20) powered through a first inning rain delay of an hour and 38 minutes to grab a 6-4 win over the Clearwater Threshers (26-33) on Wednesday night. Zander Wiel clocked his third home run over the last four games in the
CLEARWATER, Fla. (August 23, 2017) - The Fort Myers Miracle (38-20) powered through a first inning rain delay of an hour and 38 minutes to grab a 6-4 win over the Clearwater Threshers (26-33) on Wednesday night. Zander Wiel clocked his third home run over the last four games in the win.
RHP Sean Poppen had faced three batters in the bottom of the first when the rain came. Once his start was cut short, the bullpen stepped up to bolster the Miracle, while the offense went to work.
After the delay, Chris Paul provided an RBI-single in the third inning scoring Brandon Lopez. After LHP Andrew Vasquez (W, 3-0) struck out the first four batters he faced in relief, the Threshers tied the game in the bottom of the third with an RBI-groundout from Mark Laird.
Both sides scored runs in innings three through five, but the Miracle took the lead for good in the fourth against LHP Aaron Brown (L, 0-1). Tanner English doubled in Jaylin Davis, and Sean Miller plated English with a sacrifice fly to centerfield. In a 3-1 game, Clearwater got a run back against LHP Alex Robinson with an Emmanuel Marrero knock.
Each squad put up a two-spot in the fifth. Brent Rooker rocketed a double to right field, and he was later brought in on Davis' third hit of the night. The Threshers nearly tied the game in the bottom of the frame. After an Edgar Cabral RBI-single, runners stood at second and third for Austin Bossart. The designated hitter slashed a ball to right field. After Cabral scored, Jose Pujols ran through the third base coach's stop sign and was pegged at home plate for the final out of the inning.
In the seventh, Wiel belted a solo home run to left to put the Miracle up 6-4. LHP Sam Clay (H, 1) shut down the Miracle with two scoreless innings. RHP Michael Kohn (H, 2) handled the eighth without an issue, and RHP Tom Hackimer (Sv, 5) shut the door in the ninth for the save.
The two sides duel in a rubber match on Thursday night with RHP Clark Beeker making his second FSL start. RHP Edgar Garcia goes for Clearwater with first pitch at 7:00 PM ET.
To stay up to date on upcoming promotional nights, follow the Miracle online at Miraclebaseball.com or through social media; Twitter: @MiracleBaseball, Instagram: fortmyersmiracle, Facebook: Fort Myers Miracle, Snapchat: ftmyersmiracle. To purchase tickets, visit MiracleBaseball.com/tickets. For further information or questions regarding the 2017 25th Anniversary Season, call the Miracle offices at (239) 768-4210.
