Ovalle leads Miracle to 7th Straight

Fort Myers 2 at Lakeland 1

W: B. Erickson (2-0, 2.25); L: N. Martin (2-3, 4.05)
HR: FTM: E. Ovalle (7).

A lot of so called experts have written that Cole Devries is not a legitimate MLB prospect because he doesn't have a "money" pitch. The former Golden Gopher does have great control and terrific mound poise however, and evidently didn't get the memo about not being a "real" prospect. If he's not real, then all I can say is he's doing a great imitation of one.

Devries surrendered only 3 hits and one walk over six innings while fanning six. He'd take a no decision against the Lakeland Flying Tigers as the Fort Myers Miracle could not find the game winning run until the 14th inning of a very long game at Joker Marchent Stadium.

The Miracle had only six hits in the contest, and Edward Ovalle at least showed some love for his starter by going yard in the 4th inning, bashing a fly ball over the right field wall. It would be the Miracle first hit of the game, as Tiger's starter Guillermo Moscoso only allowed 3 over the seven innings he'd work. He'd walk one - Danny Berg in the second inning - and fanned six.

The only thing marring Devries performance would be Cale Iorg's ground rule double in the bottom of the first. Ozzie Sosa would take over in the 7th inning and after getting Ryan Strieby out on strikes, allowed back-to-back-to-back singles to Michael Bertram, Santo De Leon, and Justin Justice to give the Tigers a run. Carmelo Jaime would ground into a double play however ending the inning before Lakeland pushed a few more runners over the plate.

And the game would stay tied at one each for another 7 innings.

Jose Lugo would work the next three, allowing 2 hits to go with his pair of strike outs. Blair Erickson took the next four, walking four and fanning 2.

Derek Witt and Jay Sborz would work one each for the Tigs, before Ramon Garcia came in to pull the long haul of the next four.

Lakeland field manager Andy Barkett would get Nick Martin out of the bullpen for the top of the 14th inning. Steve Singleton's fly ball to right got him on base, and he'd follow that up by stealing 2nd. Ovalle then whipped his own fly ball, this one to center to drive in Sing for the game winning run. Martin would walk Danny Berg to get at Yangervis Solarte and was able to induce the Miracle rookie to line into a double play to retire the side.

Erickson however, would take De Leon and Justice down on strikes and get pinch hitter Devin Thomas to ground out to end the game.

The two teams rematch tomorrow for Firework's game #2, with a start time of 6:00 PM (Eastern).

Earlier in the day, Dunedin defeated Clearwater 8-6, so the Miracle still trail by one game in the standings, despite winning their seventh straight. While the Miracle already have their playoff berth locked up, it would be nice to face a team other than Dunedin in the playoffs for once.

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Jay Rainville was promoted to New Britain Friday while former Miracle Steve Tolleson and Frank Mata were placed on the DL. Rainville is expected to start Saturday's game at New Britain Stadium against the Connecticut Defenders. (Press Release)

The Miracle Charity Golf Classic will be held Aug. 24 at a site to be determined. The tournament benefits the Foundation Fighting Blindness. For information, contact Terry Simon at 239-768-4210 or tsimon@miraclebaseball.com