Miracle slide by Hammerheads to claim series

Fort Myers 4 at Jupiter 3

W: C. Devries (3-4, 4.13); L: J. Santos (4-2, 3.21); SV: R. Delaney (10)
HR: FTM: W. Ramos (6). JUP: K. Randel (2).

Wilson Ramos cranked out his sixth home run of the season and Cole Devries limited the Hammerheads to 1 run (unearned) on 4 hits and 2 walks while fanning 4 over 5 innings.

Yangervis Solarte and Danny Valencia hit back-to-back doubles in the first inning to open the scoring for the visiting Fort Myers Squad. Edward Ovalle's line drive would bring in Valencia making it two for the Miracle.

The'd add another run in the top of the 3rd when Ramos went yard on Hammerhead starter Jarrett Santos.

Brian Peterson and Smelin Perez hit back-to-back singles in the bottom half of the stanza, one out later, Kevin Randal would reach on a fielding error by Yancarlos Ortiz which also allowed Peterson to score. It was Ortiz 6th error of the season, he now leads the Miracle squad in that category.

Jay Buente replaced Santos at the top of the fifth inning and gave up back-to-back double to Valencia and Ovalle to add another onto the Miracle total. It would be the last run the Miracle would tally, but it would prove to be the game winner.

Matt Fox allowed a single to Logan Morrison in the bottom of the 8th, then watched as Randel took him yard over the right field fence. He would get Spike McDougall out on strikes before Rob Delaney was called in to finish off the game. Delaney would allow a walk to Greg Burns and a single to Agustin Septimo, but got Jake Blackwood and Justin Webb out on strikes to retire the side.

The Miracle pitching staff has only allowed 18 home runs this season, Fox is tied with starter Deolis Guerra, with each of them giving up 4. Only Daytona (17) and Tampa (13) have allowed fewer balls over the fence so far in 2008.

Ovalle and Ramos were both 2-for-4 at the plate, Ovalle with 2 RBIs and Ramos with a run and a RBI. Solarte and Valencia were 2-for-5 each, Solarte with 1 runs and Valencia with a pair of runs and an RBI. When he wasn't hitting the ball, Valencia was striking out - picking up 3 in the game. Ovalle and Juan Portes both had a pair of strike outs each. Valencia is second on the team in hits (51) and is also tied for 3rd on the team for strike outs, with 31.

Brian Dinkelman leads the team in hits (52) and runs (32) but has only 17 strike outs to his. Ramos home run makes him the lead yard-getter on the Miracle, Valencia follows with 5 and Ovalle and Woodard with 4 each.

With the brief road trip concluded the Miracle return home Thursday night for Thirsty Thursday where they will host the East Division leading Palm Beach Cardinals for a four-game Clash of the Titans series.

Miracle Ace Jeff Manship (5-1, 3.62) will toss out the first pitch at 7:05. The Cards will likely counter with right hander David Kopp (1-3, 3.76).

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Former Miracle Matt Tolbert will have surgery Thursday to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. He will be restricted from baseball activities for 5-6 weeks and will likely be out as much as 2 months before he can play again. Tolbert, currently with the major league Twins, will report to the Lee County Sportsplex for rehab after the surgery is completed.

Alexi Casilla, who played with the 2006 Miracle squad, got his first major league home run Monday night as the Twins defeated the Texas Rangers 7-6 in 12 innings. Casilla was called up to replace Tolbert, and has 2 runs on 3 hits with 5 RBIs in 5 games for the Twins in the 2008 season.

Upcoming Events

CEO Sandi Stewart of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. of Sarasota will throw the first pitch for Fort Myers Miracle baseball team on Monday, June 9, at 7:15 p.m., at Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, in Fort Myers.

Girl Scout Jaclyn Granitz, age 12, of Troop 531 in Bonita Springs, will sing the National Anthem and nearly 200 Girl Scouts will be there to cheer on the team.

Fort Myers Miracle and Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. have partnered to kick off the summer and invite all current Girl Scout families and anyone interested in learning about Girl Scouts to join them for America's favorite pastime!

Cost is $10 per person and includes admission, Miracle baseball hat, hot dog, and soda.

Tickets can be ordered online at www.MIRACLEFUN.com (enter "girl" as the password).

For information contact either Sean Fox (239) 768-4210 or sfox@miraclebaseball.com or Amy Gainey (239) 561-1800 ext 402 or amyg@gsgcf.org.

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA and serves more than 10,000 girls in ten counties: Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, Charlotte, DeSoto, Lee, Glades, Hendry, and Collier.