TAMPA, Fla. (August 20, 2017) - The Fort Myers Miracle (37-19) had their ten-game win streak snapped with a 3-2 loss to the Tampa Yankees (37-17) on Sunday afternoon. Zander Wiel homered, but Fort Myers left the tying run at third base in the ninth inning.Most of the day's runs came
TAMPA, Fla. (August 20, 2017) - The Fort Myers Miracle (37-19) had their ten-game win streak snapped with a 3-2 loss to the Tampa Yankees (37-17) on Sunday afternoon. Zander Wiel homered, but Fort Myers left the tying run at third base in the ninth inning.
Most of the day's runs came early. Sean Miller scored on a first-inning balk from starter RHP Albert Abreu to give Fort Myers the early lead.
Starter RHP Brady Anderson (L, 6-8) allowed three runs, one earned, over his five innings. Donny Sands singled to left field in the second inning. As Zander Wiel had trouble corralling the ball in the corner, Trey Amburgey scored from first to tie the game. Two batters later with Sands at third and one out, Devyn Bolasky sent a ground ball to the right side to score the go-ahead run.
Tampa added a third run in the third inning. Kyle Holder doubled with one out, one of his three hits in the game (and eight in the series). On a wild pitch, Holder took off for third, and catcher Mitchell Kranson's throw scooted under Chris Paul's glove into left field, allowing Holder to score. Fort Myers committed a season-high four errors on the day.
LHP Chaz Hebert (W, 1-1) tossed 4.1 innings of piggyback relief work. He gave up four hits, the last of which was the Wiel home run in the eighth inning to make it a 3-2 game. The tater was Wiel's 11th of the year.
In the ninth, Nelson Molina started with a single for the Miracle and stole second base before Brandon Lopez walked. Paul then sent a potential game-ending double play to third base where they retired Lopez at second, but the throw to first pulled Chris Gittens off the bag to keep the Miracle alive. Brent Rooker stepped to the plate and, after Paul stole second without a throw, had the tying run at third and go-ahead run at second. RHP Matt Frawley (Sv, 1) caught Rooker looking on a fastball away to end the game, avoiding a sweep for Tampa.
The Miracle enjoy an off day on Monday night before hitting the road for three more games in Clearwater with the rotation TBD. First pitch on Tuesday against the Threshers is 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.
