Miracle avoid sweep, force game four

Fort Myers 5 at Daytona 3

W: C. Gutierrez (1-1, 9.00); L: J. Russell (0-1, 6.75); SV: A. Slama (3)
HR: FTM: E. Ovalle (1), W. Robbins (1). DAY: T. Thomas (1).

It seems the Miracle weren't quite as done in as some bloggers seemed to think. Indeed, the Fort Myers Miracle will live to see game four of the best of five series against Daytona, batting their way past the Cubs at Jackie Robinson Stadium Monday night.

Juan Portes would lead off with a double in the top of the 1st and Edward Ovalle smacked a home run over the left field fence, giving the Miracle a 2-0 lead. Rene Tosoni would follow it up with a single, but Wilson Ramos hit into a double play and Whit Robbins ground out to send the Cubs up to bat.

The Miracle would give the ball to Deolis Guerra, who would in turn keep the Cubs off the board until the bottom of the third, when Tony Thomas singled and stole 2nd. He'd be given 3rd when Guerra unleashed a wild pitch, and James Adduci doubled him in, cutting the score in half. Guerra would walk Ty Wright before getting Blake Lalli and Russ Canzier out on fly balls, leaving two men stranded.

Tosoni lead off the top of the fourth with a singled and Ramos doubled him in. Robbins then rocked one out of the park for two more runs, giving the Miracle a 5-1 lead.

It would stay that way until the bottom of the fifth when Darwin Barney singled and Thomas put one out of the park for the Cubs, making it 5-3. Adduci would go down on strikes and Wright would walk before Jose Lugo was brought in to replace Guerra. Lugo would take pinch hitter Marquez Smith out on strikes and induce Canzier to ground into a force out to end the inning.

Carlos Gutierrez replaced Lugo in the bottom of the the sixth and worked one inning, walking one and striking out one before giving way to Blair Erickson. Erickson allowed 2 hits and a walk over the next 1.2 innings while fanning three but keeping the Cubs off the board. Anthony Slama would strike out four, allowing a hit and a pair of walks in 1.1 innings to finish off the contest for the Miracle.

Daytona's James Russell gave up all five runs for the Cubs on 8 hits while striking out 3 over 5.2 innings. Guerra would also give up 8 hits, plus a walk, while fanning 3, but his would come over 4.1 innings and he'd allow only three runs.

Tosoni was 2-for-3 with a run and a walk, while Ovalle and Ramos were both 2-for-4 with a run each, Ovalle with 2 RBIs and Ramos with a double and 2 RBIs. Robbins finished up 1-for-4 with the home run and a pair of RBIs. Portes was also 1-for-4 with a run, but added a double instead of a yarder.

So the Miracle push it to game four Tuesday night at 7:05 PM. Alex Burnett (1-0, 0.00) will go up against the Cubs Marcos Mateo (0-1, 2.45) on the mound. The Miracle faithful can listen in to the play-by-play action with the Voice of the Miracle, Sean Fox, on WMYR AM-1410 and WCNZ AM-1660 starting a 6:50 PM.

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Yankees, Yankees everywhere: The Scranton/WB Yankees will take on the the Devil Rays affiliated Durham Bulls for the International League's Governor's Cup. In the Eastern League, the Yankee affiliated Trenton Thunder will seek a championship against the Cleveland affiliated Akron Aeros.

LEN3 lists Wilson Ramos as his top prospect pick for the Twins this year. Ramos would, in my honest opinion, benefit from a bit of plate discipline. As Alex put it "He hits into a shit load of double plays." In part, I think you have to look at which prospects are in a position to help the Twins the soonest, so I'd have to go with either Anthony Swarzak or Luke Hughes as the top prospect overall. But then, we all have our own agendas in filling out lists, don't we?

Cubs put Miracle in 2-0 hole in best-of-five series

Daytona 9 at Fort Myers 1

W: J. Jackson (1-0, 0.00); L: C. Devries (1-1, 4.22)
HR: DAY: B. Lalli (1).

The Daytona Cubs wasted no time sending the Fort Myers Miracle packing, taking five runs off Cole Devries in the 3rd inning in route to a 9-1 win, and a 2-0 game lead, in the best of five Florida State League Championship series.

The Miracle will have to win three straight at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Dayonta Beach in order to win their first Championship since their relocation back to Fort Myers.

Ryan Harvey tripled in the top of the 3rd and scored on a Jonathan Mota ground out. Darwin Barney doubled and Tony Thomas took a walk. James Adduci singled to drive in Barney, and following a ground out to Ty Wright that plated Thomas, Blake Lalli put one over the right center field fence, scoring two to make it 5-0 Cubs.

Joe Testa would replace Devries in the top of the 5th. After getting Thomas to ground out and taking Adduci down on strikes, he'd give up a walk to Wright. Lalli singled, moving Wright to 2nd, and Russ Carter's line drive brought the runner home for the Cubs's sixth of the evening.

Ozzie Sosa allowed a double to Harvey in the top of the sixth, who moved ot 3rd on a Mota ground out. Barney would line out before Thomas singled Harvey in for Daytona's seventh tally.

Matt Williams would come in for the top of te 8th, striking out Steve Clevenger, and getting Harvey to pop out. But Mota and Barney took back-to-back singles, and a throwing error by Danny Santiesteban in right allowed Mota to score making it 8-0.

Jay Jackson allowed only 4 hits to Fort Myers over 5.2 innings. Relievers Jay Ruhlman and Michael Cooper held the Miracle to only a pair of walks in the next 1.1 innings, although Cooper gave up a couple of wild pitches that moved Edward Ovalle all the way to 3rd before he'd find a pair of strikes outs to retire the Fort Myers.

Todd Blackford replaced Cooper in the 8th and walked Steve Singleton. Rene Tosoni would go down on strikes, but passed ball by Clevenger moved Sing to 2nd. Wilson Ramos ground out advanced the runner to 3rd and Whit Robbins singled him in to keep the Miracle from being shut out. It was too little a rally, too late.

Wright singled off Williams in the 9th and two outs later, allowed a single to Clevenger. He'd hit Harvey with a pitch to load the bags, and then hit Mota as well, forcing in Wright to finish off the Cubs' scoring.

The Miracle would get nothing off Dustin Sasser in the ninth, with Juan Portes flying out to end the contest.

Singleton finished off the game 1-for-3 with a walk and a run, while Rene Tosoni, Wilson Ramos, Robins and Yancarlos Ortiz were all 1-for-4.

Unless the Miracle can find some road mojo of their own, the Cubs can sweep the series tomorrow night in Daytona. Game time is 7:05 PM and the contest can be heard live on WMYR AM-1410 and WCNZ AM-1660 with the Voice of the Miracle, Sean Fox calling all the play-by-play action.

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Miracle sweep way to West Division Championship

Dunedin 1 at Fort Myers 3

W: A. Burnett (1-0, 0.00); L: R. Gonzalez (0-1, 3.00); SV: A. Slama (2)
HR: None.

The Fort Myers Miracle swept the Dunedin Blue Jays 2-game to none to become the 2008 West Division Champions of the Florida State League Wednesday night at Hammond Stadium.

Alex Burnett pitched what may well have been one of the best games of his career, limiting the Jays to only 2 hits and 3 walks over six innings while striking out 3.

The Miracle got on the board in the bottom of the second, with Whit Robbin doubling off Reider Gonzalez to start off. Edward Ovalle would go down on strikes, but Woodard singled to drive in Robbins. Following an Eli Tintor fly out, Woodard would steal 2nd base. Yancarlos Ortiz would draw a walk, and a wild pitch moved Woodard to 3rd. Juan Portes doubled to bring in Woodard and put Ortiz at 3rd, but Steve Singleton would ground out to end the inning.

Nathan Starner would replace Gonzalez in the bottom of the 7th for the Jays, and Ortiz would greet him with a single. He'd then steal second. Both Portes and Singleton would go down on strikes, but Rene Tosoni drew a walk, with a wild pitch advancing Ortiz to 3rd. Chad Blackwell would then trot out to the mound to try to hold the Miracle in check, but Wilson Ramos took a single off him to drive in Ortiz for the 3rd Miracle run.

Blair Erickson replaced Burnett in the top of the 7th. Jesus Gonzalez would reach on a throwing error by Portes in the top of the 8th, then move to 2nd as the ball went into the dugout. Adam Calderone singled Gonzalez in for the lone Dunedin run, as Luis Sanchez would ground into a double play, and Chris Emanuele would go down swinging.

Anthony Slama walked David Cooper in the 9th and allowed a single to Cory Patton, but with one out already on the board, he'd strike out Matt Liuzza and get Anthony Hatch to hit into a ground out to end the game.

Everyone except Rene Tosoni had a single for the Miracle, although T-Bone would draw a walk to get on base.

The Miracle will now wait on the outcome of the East Division series. In the conclusion of Tuesday's rain suspended game, the Daytona Cubs would pull out a 10-0 win courtesy of a six-run 8th inning. The series now shifts to Daytona for game two on Thursday and game three, if necessary, on Friday.

The East Division has home field advantage for the series, so the Miracle will host the first two games of the best-of-five championship series.

As with the Wednesday's game, free general admission tickets can be acquired at Lee and Collier County Racetrac locations. They tickets may be upgraded to a box seat for an additional $2.00 at the gate.

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Steedley's gem grounds Flying Tigers

Lakeland 1 at Fort Myers 5

W: S. Steedley (1-3, 7.83); L: A. Figaro (0-3, 4.64)
HR: FTM: W. Robbins (6).

Some of the Miracle faithful had questioned the wisdom of moving Spencer Steedley into the rotation. Steedley proved that's where he belongs Saturday night, as he limited the Lakeland Flying Tigers to only a pair of hits and 4 walks while fanning six over six innings.

The Miracle got a boost onto the board in the 3rd inning when Whit Robbins launched his sixth home run of the season over the right field wall. Steve Singleton had batted his way onto base one out earlier, so the home run was good for two. The Miracle would make it stand up until the bottom of the eighth.

Robbie Weinhardt would come in to replace Jay Sborz on the Tiger's mound and Singleton doubled off the newcomer. After Ramos went down on strikes, his second strike out of the game, Weinhardt intentionally walked Robbins. Johnny Woodard would also take a walk to load the bags, although in this case, it was not intentional. Edward Ovalle's double to right brought in two of the three runners, and Garret Olson would sacrifice in the slow footed Woodard to make it 5-0 Miracle.

Anthony Slama would be brought in for the ninth. Slama needs a good long rest as his arm is definitely not what it was earlier in the season. Michael Bertram would single off of him. He'd bounce back and get Jeremy Laster and Brandon Timm out on strikes. Justin Justice's double would put Bertram on 3rd and Jordan Lennerton would take a walk to load the bags. Jeff Kunkel singled to score Bertram, ruining the Miracle's shut out. Slama would finally get Devin Thomas out on strikes to end the game.

Robbins was 2-for-3 in the game with a walk, a pair of runs and a run batted in. Singleton and Ovalle were 2-for-4 each at the plate, Singleton with a double and pair of runs, Ovalle with a double and a pair of runs scored. Olson finished up 1-for-3 with a RBI, and Juan Portes, Ramos and Danny Santiesteban were all 1-for-4, and all one hit wonders. Woodard finished up 0-for-2 with a pair of walks and a run.

The win was Steedley's first at the FSL level.

Tropical Storm Fay is on the way and when the local weather will be affected remains to be seen. The Miracle head over to Sarasota for games on Sunday and Monday. Matt Fox (6-6, 3.81) is due to pitch for the Miracle on Sunday, with the contest slated for a 1:00 PM start.

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Deolis Guerra needs to go into the bullpen. He has suffered from control problems most of the season. Sure he's 19, but so is Alex Burnett, who's been much more reliable. Guerra looks uncomfortable in a starting role and vulture magic may make a difference for him. Matt Williams was good for four yesterday, and the Twins have had a lot of luck moving Aussie's into starting roles.

With the win, the Miracle move into 3rd place in the FSL West division, 12 games behind the division leading Dunedin Blue Jays who defeated the Reds on Saturday, 5-1.

Brian Duensing reports in his blog about beating the Canadians at Beijing. Be sure to check it out as the former Miracle picked up the win and gives a nice pitch-by-pitch recount of his final battle with Stubby Clapp.

Following the two game gig in Sarasota and a day off on Tuesday, the Miracle play three at Lakeland and three at Clearwater for the final road trip of the regular season. They return home Tuesday, August 26th for a three-game set against the Flying Tigers.

Reds walk off winners after Miracle blow 9 run lead

Fort Myers Miracle 10 at Sarasota 11

W: T. Young (1-1, 2.16); L: J. Lugo (2-5, 4.53)
HR: FTM: D. Berg (6), W. Robbins (5). SAR: J. Francisco (20).

Despite home runs by Danny Berg and Whit Robbins, the Fort Myers Miracle could not hold on to an early lead, losing 10-11 to the Sarasota Reds in extra innings Sunday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium.

Juan Portes singled in the top off Red's start Matt Klinker. Singleton doubled and Danny Berg singled to drive in Portes. After Whit Robbins went down on strikes, Wilson Ramos sacrificed in Singleton. Johnny Woodard would take a walk, and Danny Santiesteban doubled to drive in Berg and Woodard. Garrett Olson's single would plate Santiesteban before Yancarlos Ortiz went down on strikes.

Yuber Rodriguez walked in the bottom of the first, and a passed ball by Ramos moved him to 2nd. Heisey singled to score Y-Rod to put the Reds on the board.

The Miracle took the run back on Berg's solo shot homer over the left field fence in the top of the 2nd.

Garrett Olson would single in the top of the fourth, and Portes doubled him in, one out later. Singleton doubled to plate Portes, then moved to 3rd on Berg's ground out. Robbins launched his fifth home run of the season over the right field wall adding two more, to make the score 10-1. That did it for Klinker as the Reds brought in Steve Ottness, who got Wilson to ground out, giving the Reds a chance at bat.

Ozzie Sosa gave up a single to Juan Francisco in the bottom of the 4th and Todd Frazier doubled. Logan Parker would single to score the pair before Sosa could get Carson Kainer to ground into a force out and Daniel Perales to line out. Justin Tordi would single to move Kainer to 3rd, but Jake Long flew out to end the inning.

Y-Rod doubled in the bottom of the 5th, and Chris Heisey singled him in. Francisco took a walk, before Frazier lined out. Parker would sacrifice in Heisey. Sosa then issued walks to Kainer and Perales, and Jeff Smith walked out to the mound to retrieve the ball, giving it to Blair Erickson. Tordi would double off Erickson however to clean off the bags and Long's follow up line drive brought in Tordi before Erickson could get Y-Rod to strike out swinging.

Francisco's homer in the bottom of the 6th saw the Miracle's lead evaporate completely, leaving the game tied.

Sosa would leave the mound, having allowed 8 runs, 7 earned on 8 hits and five walks while fanning 3 in 4.2 innings. Please get well soon Tyler Robertson, we need you desperately! Erickson would give up 2 on 3 hits and a pair of walks, fanning 5 over 2.1 innings. Anthony Slama worked the next two, walking 2 and striking out 4 to take the game into overtime.

The Miracle bats fell silent after the fourth inning, getting only 1 hit off Ottness, one off Joseph Krebbs, and 3 off Zach Stewart. They'd take a walk off Terrell Young in the top of the 11th, but he'd strike out two, bringing the Reds up to bat.

With one out on the board, Jose Lugo would walk Perales, then hit Justin Tordi with a pitch. Long would fly out, but Lugo walked Y-Rod to load the bags. He then walked in Heisey to force in the game winning run. I'm sure Mr. Lugo had much to think about on the bus ride back from Sarasota.

Portes and Singleton both finish up the contest 3-for-6 with a pair of runs and a RBI each. Portes had a double, Sing had two. The two yard birds, Berg and Robbins, were 2-for-5 each, Robbins with 2 runs, Berg with one, Each had 2 RBIs,and Berg also added a walk on the side. Olson, down near the bottom of the order, was also 2-for-5 with a run and a RBI. Woodard and Ortiz finished up 1-for-5, Woody with a walk and a run. Santiesteban was 1-for-4 with a double and a run and a pair of RBIs. Danny Lehmann, pinch hitting for Ramos, was 1-for-2 with a walk.

The Miracle now head home to for a six-game home stand that starts out with three against the Dunedin Blue Jays.

Spencer Steedley (0-2, 10.38) will get the start against Dunedin's Adrian Martin (6-2, 4.85). Start time is 7:05.

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Monday is Bobblection night!

The popular Goldklang Group promotion is back and Fort Myers Miracle fans have a chance to let their voices be heard on which candidate should be the new president. Voting begins at 6 p.m.

Bobblection allows Miracle fans to cast votes by choosing a bobblehead doll with either Barack Obama or John McCain's likeness.

Upon entering Hammond Stadium, fans will be directed to actual Lee County Election voting machines to cast their vote. After voting electronically, the fan then will pick up their bobblehead of choice. The first of the candidates to run out of all 500 bobbleheads will be declared the winner.

The Miracle are the sixth and last team of the Goldkang Group to vote, and the results of the Bobblection will be tallied and announce shortly thereafter.

The Goldklang Group provides operational consulting and management services in all areas relating to sports franchise and event acquisition, promotion and operation.

Bobblection is the one non-guaranteed promotion for season ticket holders. You MUST be a the game to receive a bobblehead.

While the Miracle were blowing a 9-run lead in Ed Smith stadium, the Miracle of the future, the Jake Mauer coached GCL Twins were rallying past the GCL Reds at the Lee County Sportsplex. Anderson Hidalgo was 2-for-5 for the Twins with a pair of runs and a pair of runs scored, including a home run. The Twins are battling the GCL Pirates for the South Division lead and a playoff spot.

Brandon Roberts was promoted to AA New Britain Saturday. He takes the spot of former Miracle Brock Peterson on the Rock Cats roster. Peterson was promoted to AAA Rochester. The Centralia, Washington, 1st baseman was 0-for-4 with 1 strike out in his first Red Wing's game on Sunday.

Let's Go Miracle, Ed Pelegrino's blog on the News Press is holding a survey. You might also receive one of 15 Whit Robbins card to be given away. If you get your daily Miracle fix here at www.miraclefans.com, please stop by, take his brief survey, and write in www.miraclefans.com for question #4. Don't forget to register for the Whit Robbins card give away.

Team USA's exhibition game game on Saturday against Team China was cancelled. Team USA faces Korea on Wednesday at 6:00 a.m. for their first Olympic game. (USABaseball.com)

Miracle take two from Tampa

Fort Myers 2 at Tampa 1

W: M. Fox (6-6, 3.84); L: Z. McAllister (6-6, 2.17); SV: A. Slama (23)
HR: FTM: W. Robbins (4).

The Fort Myers Miracle two-run lead would stand through nine innings as they hung on in the completion of the suspended game to defeat the Tampa Yankees, 2-1.

Edward Ovalle would single in the top of the first with one out on the board. He'd be caught stealing however, so there'd be no one on base when Whit Robbins launched his 4th home run of the year over the short porch in right field to give the Miracle one. Wilson Ramos then drew a walk and Johnny Woodard was hit by a pitch. Eli Tintor's line drive plated Ramos for the Miracle's 2nd run.

Spencer Steedley worked the first three innings, giving up only 1 hit and fanning a pair. Matt Fox would take over in the fourth. After a fly out to Eduardo Nunez, Fox allowed a single to Kevin Smith. Josh Kreuzer would fly out before Seth Fortenberry doubled to drive in Smith.

Fox would allow only one more hit, a single to Fortenberry in the bottom of the 7th. He'd strike out 4 over the next five innings before Anthony Slama came in to collect his 23rd save of the season.

Aside from the singles to Ovalle and Tintor, and the home run to Robbins, Steve Singleton would finish up 1-for-4 for the only other Miracle hit.

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Fort Myers 1 at Tampa 0

W: C. Devries (9-8, 2.85); L: E. Soto (2-3, 4.91); SV: B. Erickson (1)
HR: None.

The Miracle would also prevail in the second game, which was shortened to seven innings. Cole Devries would scatter 4 hitts and 4 walks over five innings, striking out only 1. Jose Lugo worked the next 1.1, with Blair Erickson picking up his first save of the season on by fanning 2 in .2 innings worth of work.

Edward Ovalle would walk and one out later, Juan Portes was hit by a pitch. The pair then stole 3rd and 2nd respectively. Johnny Woodard would reach on a fielder's choice that took Ovalle out at home. Grant Duff would head out to the mound to replace Tampa starter Edgar Soto, and Danny Berg would reach on a force attempt then Eduardo Nunez bobbled the ball at short. Portes would score on the play for the lone Miracle run before Eli Tintor went down on strikes.

Portes finished up 2-for-2 at the plate with the run. Tintor and Woodard were both 1-for-3, Tint with a double, and Brandon Roberts rounded out the hitting, going 1-for-2.

Next up, the Miracle head over to Sarasota for three against the Reds. Friday's 7:00 PM contest will feature Alex Burnett (7-5, 3.74) on the mound for the Miracle, while the Reds will let Rafael Gonzalez (5-8, 6.42) handle their pitching. The Miracle return home on Monday to start a 3 game set against the Dunedin Blue Jays.

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Miracle pick up savory win

Clearwater 4 at Fort Myers 15

W: C. Gutierrez (1-0, 2.70); L: J. Savery (5-9, 4.46)
HR: None.

The boys were wondering how I was going to handle this write up and to be honest, I myself am wondering the same thing. All pitchers are entitled to bad games, but for Joe Savery, this may well rank as one of the worst game of his career.

The Clearwater lefty allowed 8 runs - all earned - on 8 hits and 4 walks while striking out one. He'd work one inning and pitch to 5 batters without recording an out before being pulled in favor of Dan Brauer.

For the Fort Myers Miracle faithful, it was a very long, but very fun night at the ballpark as the Miracle romped over the Clearwater Threshers 15-4. And that was without Danny Berg's phantom home run.

Steve Singleton and Edward Ovalle both took walks to lead off the offense for the Miracle. Wilson Ramos' line drive knocked in Singleton, but Ovalle would be taken out at 3rd on the throw in from left field. Whit Robbins then doubled to drive in Ramos and Whit might have made it to third, but he hesitated between second and third on the basepaths trying to locate the ball and that cost him any chance of beating the throw in. (Note to Whit: Watch Jeff. If he's telling you to run, RUN!) Juan Portes singled, then stole 2nd base. Johnny Woodard singled out to right to plate Portes and Berg doubled to move Woodard to 3rd. Danny Santiesteban was called out on strikes though, much to the disappointment of the Thirsty Thursday Night crowd.

Yancarlos Ortiz and Singleton both batted their way onto the basepaths before Ovalle walked to load the bags. A wild pitch by Savery brought in Ortiz and a catching error by Alan Robbins allowed Singleton to score. Ramos doubled to drive in Ovalle who'd move to 3rd on the previous play and Whit drew a walk before Razor Shine finally caught a clue and got Savery off the mound. Brauer would allow a line drive to Portes that plated Ramos but finally found an out when Woodard poped a ball foul and Al caught it behind the plate. (Here in after, their Robbins is "Al", and our Robbins is "Whit". This game report is going to be convoluted enough as it is.) After Berg's phantom home run was waved off, he'd hit a sac fly to center to score Whit. Santiesteban's line drive brought in Portes before Ortiz, batting around the line up, ground out to end the inning.

In the top of the third, Ozzie Sosa walked Quintin Berry and Rob Watson was hit by a pitch. Mike Taylor singled out to right to drive in Berry giving the Thresher a run before Gus Milner went down on strikes and Kevin Mahar flew out.

Sing would get hit by a pitch to start off the bottom of the 3rd, and Ovalle took a walk. Al passed a ball which advanced the two runners and Ramos would then single to drive the pair in. Whit and Portes would both get fly outs and Woody a strike out to give Clearwater a chance again.

John Urick and Fidel Hernandez drew walks from Sosa, who is down in the High A trying to learn to keep those walks to a minimum. Al would go down on strikes before Gary Cates singled to bring in Urick, helped in part by Berg's fielding error. Berry hit into a force out to score Hernandez. Barry was actually out, but was awarded first on a throwing error by Ortiz. Watson would strike out bringing the Elizabethton Twins Miracle back up to bat.

The bottom of the fourth saw Berg walk and Santiesteban single. ("And I have to wonder," I said to Ed, "When the holiday season comes around, if anyone ever calls him Danny Santiesteclaus.") Ortiz's line drive plated Berg and Sing's fly ball to right advanced the runners. A sac-fly by Ovalle brought in Santiesteban before Ramos and Whit went down on strikes.

Carlos Gutierrez replaced Sosa in the top of the fifth and allowed a walk to Taylor. A wild pitch moved the runner to 2nd and Milner's fly out advanced him ot 3rd. Mahar would then be called out on strikes - evidently much to his surprise - and Urick doubled to bring in Taylor.

Razor sent Ben Pfinsgraff out to the mound for the bottom of the 5th, and got three quick outs.

Our Thresher's buddy Al singled in the top of the sixth and Cates flew out to right. Cates is, by the way, the big brother of Twins prospect Chris Cates who is currently playing in Beloit and who will likely make the Miracle squad next season. Berry singled and a wild pitch by Gutierrez moved Al to 3rd. Berry got caught stealing 2nd however and Watson popped out to sent the Miracle back up to bat.

Having had some success in the fifth, Pfinsgraff was invited back out to the mound for the sixth. After getting Santiesteban to ground out, he'd give up back-to-back singles to Ortiz and Sing, and allowed a double to Ovalle that plated Ortiz. Ramos' ground ball to right drove in Sing adding two more the Miracle total.

That would actually do it for either side. Jose Lugo, Matt Williams and Blair Erickson all pitched an inning a piece for the Miracle, while Pfinsgraff worked the seventh and Ben Schlitter worked the eighth for Clearwater.

Sing was 3-for-4 with 4 runs and a walk, Ramos was 4-for-5 with a double, 2 runs and five RBIs. Ortiz was 3-for-5 with a pair of runs and an RBI while Santiesteban was 2-for-5 with a run and a run batted in.

Late minute defensive switches Danny Lehmann and Eli Tintor were the only players to go hitless, while Garrett Olson was the only one hit wonder in the game.

The fun continue tomorrow as the Miracle, a.k.a. the Newark Eagles, take on the Clearwater, a.k.a. the Homestead Grays on Negro Appreciation League Night. Matt Fox (5-6, 4.25) will be on the mound for the Miracle and throwing out the first pitch at 7:05 PM. Come early and enjoy free hotdogs from 6:00 to 7:00 as well as $1 beer and sodas on Happy Hour Friday.

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Joe Benson was at the game last night. He'd said he'd likely to be ready to play for instructs (which assumes, of course, that he'll be invited to instructs.) Brent was complaining because he'd only sign five things, but I never have any problems with Joe. In fact, he seemed quite happy to see me. I had actually pulled all the stuff I have for the players on the disabled list, since you never know who'll show up in the stands this time of year, but Brett inadvertently reminded me to check my Miracle card album and low and behold, I have things there that need autographs.

Rene Tosoni is still taking batting practice, but has not been cleared for running yet, pushing his return back again. At the rate he's going, he might end up being done for the season.

The Miracle and Threshers will be wearing Authentic Negro League uniforms for Friday night's game as it is Negro League Appreciation Night. (Miracle)

Former Miracle Luke Hughes was called up to AAA Rochester Thursday. He was 1-for-5 (w/ a single) in his first AAA game as Rochester lost to Pawtucket, 7-6. Another former Miracle, Anthony Swarzak, made his AAA debut on Wednesday night, picking up an 8-3 win over the Pawsox. LEN3 is reporting that Livan Hernandez will likely be cut loose by the Twins in order to make room for former Miracle Francisco Liriano to join the major league rotation. Liriano was part of the 2004 Miracle squad.

Speaking of Red Sox, the latest word is that they are now checking out Disney's Wide World of Sports, another slap in the face to the taxpayers of Lee county. We really need to have a dump the Red Sox night at Hammond Stadium.

Miracle hold off Jays for 8-7 win

Fort Myers 8 at Dunedin 7

W: A. Burnett (7-4, 3.89); L: R. Boone (2-2, 5.94); SV: A. Slama (21)
HR: FTM: W. Ramos (11), D. Santiesteban (4).

Despite holding a 3 run lead going into the 9th inning, the Fort Myers Miracle were fortunate enough to be able to hold on long enough to get a win over the Dunedin Blue Jays.

If they are going to have a successful playoff run, they are going to have to find way to win without the bullpen.

Juan Portes singled his way onto base in the top of the 2nd, then stole 2nd and used a wild pitch by Randy Boone to go to 3rd. Eli Tintor then singled, plating Portes. After a pop out to Garrett Olson, Danny Santiesteban's bat went BOOM, and sent his 4th home run ball of the year over the left field wall to add two more to the total.

Whit Robbins singled in the top of the 3rd and Wilson Ramos homered - his 11th of the year - to give the Miracle a 5-0 lead. After a ground out to Johnny Woodard, Portes doubled and Tintor singled. Garrett Olson's ground out moved the pair, and a Santiesteban fly ball single brought them home.

With two outs on the board in the top of the 4th, Brad Emaus doubled then came home on a Cory Patton single, putting one on the board for Dunedin.

They added to it in the bottom of the 4th with Anthony Hatch taking a walk and Marcos Cabral getting hit by an Alex Burnett pitch. Following a fly out to Matthew Liuzza, Adam Calderone singled to plate Hatch. Luis Sanches would go down on strikes before former Twin Shannon Stewart, playing on a rehab assignment, singled to plate Cabral and Calderone.

Jose Mijares would take over for Burnett in the bottom of the sixth, and following a pair of ground outs, allowed a double to Calderone and a single to Sanchez to add one more to the Jays total.

In the top of the 8th, Tintor doubled, moved to 3rd on Olson's sac bunt, and was sacrificed in by Santiesteban.

Anthony Slama has been struggling a bit of late, and Monday night exemplified that. He'd walk Calderon and, after a ground out to Sanchez, allowed a pair of singles to Emanuele and Emaus which loaded the bags. Patton's sac fly plated Calderone and a Brian Dopirak single drove in Emanuele. Hatch would go down on strikes though with the Jays still down by one and the the tying run on 3rd.

Santiestban was 2-for-2 with a walk and five (5!) RBIs. Tintor was 3-for-4 with 3 runs and a RBI, while Ramos was 3-for-5 with a run and 2 RBIs. Robbins and Portes were both 2-for-4, Robbins with a walk and a run and Portes with a pair of runs. Steve Singleton was the one hit wonder, going 1-for-5 in the contest.

The rubber match of the series is Tueday evening at Knology Park. Fort Myers will pit Deolis Guerra (10-5, 4.56) against Dunedin's Reidier Gonzalez (8-3, 3.58) for the 7:00 PM start.

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From MiLB.com:

THE WEEK THAT WAS: The Miracle had a rough week, winning just two of seven games, including a four-game losing stretch. The string of losses dropped Fort Myers into a losing record and fourth place in the FSL West, 7 1/2 games behind division-leading Dunedin.

WHO'S HOT, WHO'S NOT: SP Cole Devries has been a strikeout machine. In his last 11 innings, the University of Minnesota product has 13 strikeouts. ... SS Yancarlos Ortiz has just five hits in his last 29 plate appearances for a .172 average.

PLAYER TO WATCH: 2B Steven Singleton has been hitting well in recent games. The University of San Diego product has a home run and eight RBIs in his last 10 games while batting .333. ... SS Yancarlos Ortiz is struggling with just five hits in his last 29 at-bats for a .172 clip.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK: One of the bright spots of a dismal week for the Miracle was 1B Whit Robbins. In a 9-7 home win over St. Lucie on July 20, the Georgia Tech product had four RBIs, collecting three with one swing as he homered to right field in the bottom of the fourth inning to give the Miracle a 5-4 lead. In the seventh, Robbins walked with the bases loaded for his fourth RBI.

Robbins Rocks Mets; Miracle win slug fest

St. Lucie 7 at Fort Myers 9

W: O. Sosa (2-0, 3.57); L: D. Gee (7-6, 3.61); SV: A. Slama (20)
HR: FTM: W. Robbins (3).

Somewhere in the course of this game, I lost track of the score. I think it was right around when Yancarlos Ortiz hit a 2-run home run into the visitor's bullpen. The umpire signaled for a home run, surprising all of us, but then, after much discussion with the coaches on both sides, it was overturned and Berg when back to 3rd and Ortiz went back to the plate.

In any case...the St. Lucie Mets thought they were facing a bullpen pitcher and were not very happy when Ozzie Sosa struck out the first two batters he faced, and kept them off the board for the first and second innings.

Dillon Gee did not fair so well. Brandon Roberts, who as been added to the Miracle roster along with Jose Mijares on rehab assignment, knocked a line drive to center, but Steve Singleton hit into a force out that took him down at second. Following a fly out to Wilson Ramos, Whit Robbins then doubled to move Sing to 3rd. Edward Ovalle's grounder to center brought in the pair for the first two Miracle runs.

(For the purposes of the St. Lucie series, Wilson Ramos will be referred to by his first name "Wilson", and the St. Lucie player by the same last name will be referred to as "Ramos".)

Eli Tintor singled to 2nd and advanced on a fielding error by Peeter Ramos. Ortiz and Roberts would go down on strikes before Singleton doubled to plate Tintor.

Roberts, when he swung went all the way around, lost his balance and fell, which brought Larry Bennese charging out of the dugout. We all thought he'd re-injured himself again, but he assured Larry he was alright and was allowed to continue the game.

D.J. Wabick singled off Sosa in the top of the 3rd. Following a Brahiam Maldonado fly out, Ramos and Ezequiel Carrera both singled to drive in Wabick. A missed catch by Wilson advanced Carrera to 2nd and Ramos to 3rd.

Ovalle would be hit by a pitch to start off the bottom of the inning. Following a fly out to Juan Portes, Berg doubled Ovalle in. Tintor would ground out, moving Berg to 3rd. That's when Ortiz hit his phantom home run. After everything was rewound, Ortiz would go back to the plate, and would strike out.

Mendez got a single off Sosa in the top of the 4th, and Josh Thole got a free pass. Shawn Bowman then singled out to right to load the bags. Wabick's follow up single, combined with Sing's throwing error, cleared off the bags, tying up the game. (Speaking of tying, Missy looked very smashing in her 70's tie-dyed T-shirt and shades.)

Continuing in his quest to be re-injured before he is done with his rehab, Roberts would get plunked by a pitch in the bottom of the fourth. After Singleton flew out to center, Wilson's line drive moved Roberts to 2nd. Whit Robbins then crushed one of the right field wall - no where near a foul pole - for a genuine home run to give the Miracle a 3 run lead again. Ovalle would single and steal 2nd, but Portes would fly out and Berg ground out to end the inning.

Sosa would put two outs on the board in the top of the fifth before hitting Mendez with a pitch. Thole then drew a walk, and Bowman singled to score Mendez. Wabick then hit one hop to Portes at 3rd, who tagged Thole on on his way to 3rd to end the inning.

Casey Hoorelbeke, a side arm pitcher, replaced Gee in the bottom of the fifth, making the Mets fans happy as they couldn't figure out why the field manager Tim Teufel felt Gee was going to get any better. Hoorelbeke would confound the Miracle for the bottom of the 5th.

Carlos Gutierrez replace Sosa in the top of the sixth, and Maldonado took a single off the rookie sinkballer. Ramos and Carrera both ground out, and wild pitch moved Maldonado to 3rd. But the University of Miami product got Rueben Tejada to hit into a ground out, stranding the Mets runner.

After Singleton popped out in the bottom of the six, Wilson singled. Robbins flew out, but Ovalle came back with a single to move Wilson to 3rd. Ryan Coultas then replaced Hoorelbeke and Portes singled to score Wilson. This was there I got really confused.

Lucan Duda took a walk and Mendez singled him to second. Thole singled Duda in, and moved to second on a fielding error by Roberts. (Gee...I've missed those!) A wild pitch put Mendez on 3rd and Bowman would single him in. Jose Lugo then came up the mound to get three outs to retire the Mets.

"Wasn't it just 7-6 Miracle and now suddenly it's 7-6 Mets?"

"That's an eight," Matt Fox assured me. "We have 8."

"Are you sure?" That scoreboard is a disaster. Half the lights are out and in fact I initially thought the O in the bottom of the fifth was a four.

"Here," he said, trying to give me his chart. "See for yourself."

"No, no, it's okay, I trust you, it's just...."

Tintor would be hit by a pitch, then steal 2nd. Ortiz would be hit by a pitch, then replaced by Garrett Olson as a pinch runner. Roberts would hit a sac-bunt to move the pair, which gave Coultas room to intentionally walk Singleton.

"He's walking Sing to get to the guy that has the most home runs on the team?"

"Wilson hits into a shit load of double plays," Alex points out. He also strikes out quite a bit, which would end up being the case here. Robbins then drew a walk to force in Tint, making the score 9-7 and closing out the offense portion of the program.

Wilson and Robbins finished up 2-for-4 with a pair of runs each, Robbins with a double and the home run, plus a walk, giving him 4 RBIs as well. Ovalle was 3-for-4 with a run and two runs scored. Portes was 2-for-5 with a run scored. Tintor and Singleton were both 1-for-4, Tint with a pair of runs, Sing with a run and a RBI. Roberts finished up 1-for-3 with a run and Berg rounded out the hitting, going 1-for-5 with a double and a RBI.

Anthony Slama finished up on the mound, walking one and fanning three to pick up his 20th save of the season.

"We may or may not have a double header at Gulf Coast League tomorrow," I tell Fox (5-4, 3.72), "So I may or may not be around to watch you pitch tomorrow." He will be facing Dylan Owen (8-6, 3.72) of the Mets in Monday Night's Rodeo Night contest. Unlike Alex, who still gets upset then I blow him off in favor of an 18-year old, Fox is fine with that and warns me to take care and not get too much sun.

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The stat packs were missing when the gates opened at six, which not only made the seasonals unhappy, but looked bad when the team had to tell the scouts that were attending the game that they didn't have media packages for them. Way to go, Gary Sharp! Keep up the good work. And BTW, Adam Everett is OFF the roster and Roberts is wearing #9.

Additional kudos to Kris Koch. If I must pay $5.00 for a braut at the grill, I'd really like condiments to go along with it. Maybe you could get someone to refill the containers? (The whole place is going to hell in a handbasket, I swear.)

Don't believe everything you read. A recent article in the Strib said that Rene Tosoni was likely done for the year. This was news to him as he's been taking batting practice and says he'll be back with the Miracle by Mid-August at the latest. Also, Tyler Robertson has been shut down for a couple of weeks to rest his shoulder. It is however, nothing serious and the MRI was clean.

Miracle down Vero Beach for 3rd straight

Vero Beach 1 at Fort Myers 3

W: H. Reyes (1-0, 1.93); L: C. Kelly (5-2, 5.23); SV: A. Slama (12)
HR: FTM: A. De San Miguel (1).

The Fort Myers Miracle broke open a scoreless game in the sixth inning Wednesday night, and went on to top the Vero Beach Devil Rays, 3-1.

Matt Fox worked 4 innings, allowing 3 hits while striking out 4 for his first start of the 2008 season. Henry Reyes would work the next 2.1 innings, picking up the win when the Miracle got onto the board.

Chris Kelly would replace Ryan Morse on the mound for the bottom of the 6th, and allowed a walk to Danny Valencia. Whit Robbins singled his way onto base. Wilson Ramos' ground ball to center sent Valencia scampering for the plate to give the Miracle one. A wild pitch by Kelly moved Robbins to 3rd, and a a sac-fly by Juan Portes brought in Robbins for the second run.

The Rays took one back in the top of the 7th, with J.T. Hall getting hit by a pitch. Following a strike out to Ryan Roystar, Nevin Ashley singled to put a pair of runners on. Manager Jeff Smith would get All-star closer Anthony Slama out of the bullpen. He would allowed a since to Garrett Groce which scored Hall before inducing Neil Walton to ground into a double play.

Allan de San Miguel would go yard in the bottom half of the stanza, a fly ball out to left field. It was the light-hitting Aussie's first of the year.

That would be it however. Slama allowed 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 4 over the next 2.2 innings for his 12th save of the season. Reyes pitched well during his short stint on the mound.

Robbins hit 3-for-4 with a triple and a run in the contest.

The two teams conclude the series Thursday night with the long awaited match up of Cole Devries (5-5, 3.11) vs. David Price (2-0, 1.16) on the mound.

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· The Win allowed the Miracle to tie the 2003 record for most wins in a half-season. There are still 4 more games to go in the first half of the FSL 2008 season. The prior record was 44-26.

· The game was delayed by one hour due to a late afternoon thunderstorm.

· Milt Cuyler reported that pitcher Mike Allen was suspended, which more or less coincides with what Cole told me, which was "something happened". I do not know if this was substance related or not, but if so, there won't be many games left in Elizabethton's season when he returns.

· The Twins may have picked up a player from try out camp, but have not signed him to a contract yet. He played with current GCL catcher Andres Diaz in West Palm Beach last year. His contract will depend on whether there is a need for him at the GCL level or not.

· Lots of autograph opportunities at the game tonight, including several GCL players (Andres, Lara) and E-Town bound players (Rams, Waltenbury) in the stands. I think I gave Diaz and Lara a kick by asking for their autographs.

Miracle take game one from Mets

Fort Myers 7 at St. Lucie 2

W: D. Guerra (3-1, 4.32); L: D. Gee (2-3, 4.54); SV: M. Fox (1)
HR: FTM: W. Ramos (2), W. Robbins (2).

Deolis Guerra held his former teammates to only 5 hits over 6 innings, giving up 2 runs and striking out 1, while Wilson Ramos and Whit Robbins both hit their second home runs of the season as the Miracle overcame the Mets 7-2.

St. Lucie got on the board first, when Luis Rivera doubled, then was brought home on Lucas Duda's double. A Joshua Petersen single served to score Duda, giving the Mets an early 2 runs lead.

But it was short lived though. With 2 outs on the board in the top of the 2nd, Ramos singled his way onto the bags. Robbins double moved him to 3rd, and Juan Portes fly ball to center brought the pair home to tie up the game.

Met's starter Dillon Gee would surrender two more runs in the fifth, although only one was earned. Back-to-back-to back singles by Portes, Yancarlos Ortiz, and Brian Dinkelman loaded the bags. Rene Tosoni would reach on a fielding error by Rivera, scoring Portes. After Danny Valencia was called out on strikes, Johnny Woodard sacrificed in Ortiz to make it 4-2 Miracle.

St. Lucie's Brandon Nall ran into to trouble in the top of the 8th. Edgar Alfonzo would hit Woodard with a pitch before he was lifted from the game in replace of Nall. Ramos and Robbins then hit back-to-back home runs one out later, to score 3 more runs.

Jose Lugo and Matt Fox would finish off the game for the Miracle, combining to allow only 1 run over the final 3 innings. Fox struck out 5, giving a very good accounting of himself despite a wild pitch in the 8th.

Portes would finish up 3-for-4 at the plate with 1 run and 2 RBIs, Ramos and Robbins were both 2-for-4 with 2 runs, Ramos with 2 RBIs, Robbins with 1. Dinkelman would go 3-for-5 at the top of the order.

The series continues tomorrow at Tradition Field with Alex Burnett (2-1, 2.28) getting the start against St Lucie's Nicholas Carr (0-3, 5.34). First pitch is set for 7:00 PM.

The Miracle return home Wednesday, May 14th when the Sarasota Reds will be in town for Island Night at Hammond Stadium.

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Left handed pitcher Errol Simonitsch was added to the Miracle Roster Thursday from Extended Spring Training replacing Zach Day who was released on Tuesday. When I talked to him at Extended last weekend, he said it was not the same injury as the one he suffered last season that had him on the DL. He has pitched well in several outings during extended. The move is not unexpected, and although Simo did indicate he was quite sick of Florida already, he did allow that pitching for the Miracle would be nicer than throwing in Extended Spring Training as he continues his rehab. (NDN)




Minnesota 2 at Chi White Sox 6

WP: J. Danks (3-3), LP: K. Slowey (0-2)
HR: CHI: J. Dye (6), J. Uribe (3)

Kevin Slowey returned to the Minnesota mound, giving up 3 runs including 2 home runs on 4 hits while striking out 4 over 5 innings.

The Twins picked up a pair of runs in the second when former Miracle Matt Tolbert singled in Brendan Harris and Joe Mauer, another Fort Myers Alumni, singled in Adam Everett.

That would be all the Twins would get. Slowey kept them in the game, but the bull pen gave up three runs late to make the score 6-3 and prevent a Minnesota rally.

Mauer was 2-for-3 in the game, while Delmon Young was 2-for-4.

The Twins begin a four game series against the Boston Red Sox on Friday, with Boof Bonsor (2-4, 4.29) going to the mound against Jon Lester (2-2, 3.94).

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Former Miracle Pat Neshek left the game in the 9th inning with a postential serious right elbow strain. The injury occurred after Neshek had allowed a single to Jermaine Dye and struck out Nick Swisher to start the inning. But it was on a slider he threw to the third batter he faced, Joe Crede, that Neshek appeared to hurt his elbow. Neshek immediately grabbed his arm after making the pitch. He will see team physician Dr. Dan Buss on Friday and be re=evaluated at that point. (Twins)

Miracle record first shut out, sweep of the season

Whit Robbins

Fort Myers 2 at Clearwater 0

Record: 4-4

W: M. Fox (1-0, 3.60); L: C. Monasterios (1-1, 2.70); SV: R. Delaney (3)
HR: FTM: W. Robbins (1).

The Fort Myers Miracle won a pitchers duel Thursday night, sweeping the series from the Clearwater Threshers thanks to a 2-run yarder by Whit Robbins in the 7th inning.

Deolis Guerra took to the mound for the Miracle, working through 5 innings allowing 4 hits and 5 walks while only striking out 2. Meanwhile his Thresher counterpart Carlos Monasterios suffered his first loss of the season, working though seven innings and allowing both runs (earned) on only 2 hits and 3 balls while striking out 4.

A wild pitch by Guerra with only one out allowed Clearwater's P.J. Antoniato onto 3rd base in the 2nd, but a timely strike out to Welinson Baez and a line out by Carlos Leon ended the inning before the Miracle could suffer any damage.

Danny Valencia made it as far as 3rd base in the top of th 4th for the Miracle, but with 2 outs on the board, Wilson Ramos ground into a force out which caught Woodard and ended the inning.

Loaded the bases in the bottom of the 5th, in part due to another wild pitch by Guerra, but Gus Miller's pop out to second left them stranded with the game still scoreless.

Matt Fox entered the game in the bottom of the sixth and worked 2, picking up wth win when Ramos drew a walk and Robbins hit one deep over the right field wall.

A pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases for the Miracle in the top of the 8th, but Woodard ground out causing the side to retire.

Robert Delaney worked the last two stanzas for Fort Myers, who return home Friday night to face the Dunedin Blue Jays with a special 6:05 PM start time.

The Miracle managed only 4 hits in the game, but picked up six free passes off the Phillies Farm. The win ties the Miracle for 3rd place in the standings with Lakeland, while Clearwater with a 2-6 record took sole possession of last place.

Dunedin leads the West division with a 6-2 record and swept the Miracle earlier this week at Knology Park. Big lefty Tyler Robertson will take the start for the Miracle.

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Appetite for Destruction: The ultimate Guns N’ Roses tribute band, “Appetite for Destruction” hits the stage after Friday’s 6:05 p.m. game.

The band looks like Guns N’ Roses, they sound like them and from the moment you hear the words, “you know were you are? You’re in the Jungle baby…” until long after the concert ends, you feel like you got a glimpse of what it was like when GNR rocked Los Angeles back in 1987. All the favorites—Sweet Child o’ Mine, Paradise City , Patience and many, many more will be played. Tickets are only $12 for the game and concert.