Fort Myers slams Yankees, 8-1

Fort Myers 8 at Tampa 1

Record: 13 - 7

W: A. Burnett (1-1, 3.05); L: I. Nova (0-4, 5.23)
HR: None.

Wilson Ramos went 3-for-5 at the plate Wednesday night with 3 RBIs to lead the Fort Myers Miracle offense as they downed the Tampa Yankees 8-1 on the road.

The two teams rematch today at 11:00 A.M. with Fort Myers righty Cole Devries (1-2, 6.00) facing off against RHP Erik Hacker (1-1, 1.04) for the Yankees.

Alex Burnett took the start for the Miracle, holding the Yankees to 1 run on 2 hits and 4 walks while striking out 3. The Miracle got on the board first, in the fifth inning, putting a hurt on Tampa righty Ivan Nova.

Whit Robbins and Danny Santiesteban would lead off the inning with walks. A sac-bunt by Yancarlos Ortiz put runners at 2nd and 3rd. A Brian Dinkelman double brought the pair in. Rene Tosoni's follow up single brought in Dinkelman. With Danny Valencia at the plate, Tosoni would steal second. Valencia flew out, but Johnny Woodard's single to left brought in Tosoni. Juan Portes would draw a walk before Ramos doubled to score the pair and the Yankees called for Wilkins Arias to replace Nova.

Damon Sublett singled out to right in the bottom of the sixth for Tampa. Following an Eduardo Nunex ground out, James Cooper drew a walk and Edwar Gonzalez was hit by a Burnett pitch to load the bases. Kevin Smith would then take a walk off Barnett to force in a run. Miracle field manager Jeff Smith then called for a pitching change, bringing in reliever Anthony Slama who got Josue Calzado to ground into a force out to end the stanza.

A Juan Portes double and a Ramos single paid dividends in the top of the 7th when Robbins ground into a double play which allowed Portes to score.

With two outs in the top of the 8th, Rodolfo Palacios would double then come home on a Toby Gardenhire line drive to center to finish off the scoring.

Brian Dinkelman was 2-for-5 with a run and 2 RBIs while Valencia when 2-for-4 with a double. Zach Day (the box says Danny Vais) and Danny Hernandez both worked an inning for the Miracle to finish off the game, holding the Yankees hitless.

Hernandez was activated from the Beloit disabled list on Tuesday and added to Mircle roster in time for the road trip.

The Miracle now hold a 2 game lead over Dunedin in the FSL West Division. The Jays have lost their last 3, after falling to Lakeland on the road last night.

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Pending Pinstripes

Beloit continued their struggles on Wednesday, falling 5-4 to the West Michigan Whitecaps. Blair Erickson suffered his 3rd loss of the season in relief of Brian Kirwan, surrending the game winning run on 3 hits and 1 walk (Boxscore). Garrett Olson was 3-for-6 with 1 run for the Snappers, who fall to 6-14 on the season.

In Double A, New Britain pounded out 21 hits against Reading, for a 15-6 win at home. Luke Hughes was 4-for-5 at the plate with a pair of home runs, 2 runs, and 5 RBIs (Boxscore). Felix Molina was 3-for-5 with 3 doubles, 2 runs and 5 RBIs. Six other players had a multi-hit game. Jay Sawatski picked up the win in relief of Oswaldo Sosa, who gave up 4 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks in 3 innings worth of work.

Rochester captured a 5-3 win over the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. Tim Lahey picked up the win, his first the season at the Triple-A level. Former Miracle Alexi Casilla was 2-for-4 in the game with a run, while free-agent signee Jon Knott, a Venice, Florida native, was 2-for-3 with a home run (Boxscore).

First Church of Toby

2008 edition, Vol. 1



Toby practices for the Mini-golf tournament...



Run Toby! Run!



I has a base.



Both hands on the bat, buddy!



Seriously, try it with both hands on the bat.



He bunts and....



He has a base...



Again.

"I love Toby dearly," I tell Miracle broadcaster Sean Fox, "but he is the biggest Dork on the field."

"And in the clubhouse, and on the bus," Fox says. "That's just Toby."

Miracle rally late to sweep Tigers

Lakeland 9 at Fort Myers 10

Record 12 - 7

W: D. Vais (4-0, 0.69); L: F. Dolsi (0-1, 7.11)
HR: LAK: J. Justice (3). FTM: D. Santiesteban (2), J. Portes (1).

The Lakeland Flying Tigers bullpen suffered a power outage on Earth Day, allowing the Miracle bats to rally back to a 10-9 win Tuesday. It was the second straight home series sweep for the Fort Myers squad, who also took the series from Clearwater.

Shawn Roof, the son of former Rochester field manager Phil Roof, doubled in Ryan Stieby in the top of the 2nd inning to give the Tigers first blood. Roof would try to stretch to the play for a triple, and was taken out at 3rd.

In the bottom of the inning, Johnny Woodard would open with a double and Whit Robbins would follow one out later with a single. Danny Santieseban then launched one over the left field fence to give the Miracle a 3-1 lead.

Lakeland would answer back in the top of the 3rd with Justin Justice singling out to right, and Cale Iorg out to left. A fielding error by Juan Portes got Justice to 3d, and a Scott Sizemore sac fly brought him home. A wild pitch by southpaw Tyler Robertson then allowed Iorg to score, tying up the game.

The top of the six would prove profitable for the Tigers, when a pair of errors by Robbins, playing at 3rd allowed Brandon Timm and Jeramy Laster to both reach base. James Skelton then drew a walk off Robertson. This time the big lefty could not find the strikes, and allowed a single to Strieby to drive in two. Brennan Boesch would then ground into a force out before field manager Jeff Smith came in to take the laboring Robertson out of the game.

He'd be replaced by Matt Fox. The former first round pick allowed a single to Roof that brought in Skelton. Justin Jones then went yard over the right field wall to bring in 3 more, making it 9-3 Lakeland.

Tiger's starter Matt O'Brien had pitched a good game until then, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 1. But Jordan Tata's appearance on the roster, and the mound, did not sit well with Lakeland, as Tata, who has been battling injuries, had trouble finding the strike zone. He'd issue a walk to Rene Tosoni, and would get Danny Valencia to pop out before giving free passes to Woodard and Portes. A sac-fly by Robbins to center field allowed Tosoni to score, while a double by Santiesteban brought in Woodard. Allan de San Miguel would draw a walk before Lakeland field manager Andy Barkett finally pulled the plug on Tata.

Ed Clelland would come in and promptly allowed Wilson Ramos to walk which brought in Portes and kept the bases loaded. Clelland then unleashed a wild pitch, which brought in Santiesteban and just like that, the Miracle were back in the game.

The home team would get within one in the bottom of the 7th, when Valencia doubled then scored on a Portes grounder to center. They threatened in the bottom of the 8th, with the speedy Santiesteban getting as far as 3rd, but Tosoni would strike out to end the inning, with a huge group groan from the 2-for-Tuesday crowd.

Woodard would single in the bottom of the 9th, and Portes would put one over the left field wall to give the Miracle 2, and the win.

Woodard and Santieseban were both 3-for-4 with a pair of runs each, Santiesteban with 4 RBIs. Portes was 2-for-4 with a walk, a pair of runs and 3 RBIs for the home town team.

Robertson would allow 7 runs on six hits and 3 walks while striking out only 3. Rob Delany and Danny Vais finished off the game.

With the win, the Miracle take sole possession of first place, after Dunedin lost their last two to the Sara-Reds. The Miracle now head out on the road for three in Tampa and three in Lakeland before returning home against Clearwater on Wednesday April 30th.

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Take I-75 North

Missy, the Miracle mascot, recieved a makeover, going from furry to plush and getting a new white pinstriped uniform. I can't say the change is for the better, but your children may have a different opinion.

Manny accosted me for missing a couple of games last week while I was down win a sinus infection. Then the rookies found me and got on my case for not going out to see them play. It's nice to know I'm missed when I'm not around. (Your milage may vary.)

Danny Berlind suffered the loss as the Beloit Snappers fell to the West Michigan Whitecaps 5-3. Mark Dolenc and Chris Cates were both 3-for-3 for the Snappers, Dolenc with 1 run and 1 RBI and Cates with 1 RBI.

In New Britain, Reading posted an 11 - 9 win as Jay Rainville suffered his 2nd loss of the season, allowing 10 runs on 13 hits while striking out 1 over 3.2 innings. Dustin Martin was 2-for-3 with a run for the Rock Cats; Steve Tolleson was 2-for-4 with a walk, a run, and a RBI, and Luke Hughes, Brock Peterson and EriK Lis were all 2-for-5. Hughes smashed his fourth home run of the season, a solo shot in the 3rd inning off Fabio Castro.

The Red Wings had the night off. Tim Lahey joined the club after pitching for the Miracle Monday night. Righty Zach Day was activated from the DL and assigned to the Miracle to take his place. Danny Graves was promoted to Double A New Britain as well.

Miracle devour Tigers, 10 - 4

Lakeland 4 at Fort Myers 10

Record 11 - 7

W: D. Guerra (2-0, 1.42); L: J. Nickerson (1-2, 7.64)
HR: LAK: J. Laster (3), J. Justice (2). FTM: J. Woodard (4).

A grand slam home run by Johnny Woodard in the 3rd inning started out a night that ended up in 15 hits and 10 runs for the Fort Myers Miracle.

Minnesota Twins righty Kevin Slowey took the start for the Miracle, allowing 1 run on 1 hit when Jeremy Laster went yard in the second inning on him. He would strike out 5 otherwise over 3 innings worth of work before giving way to Deolis Guerra who would be credited with the win.

Fort Myers took an early lead in the 1st when Rene Tosoni, Danny Valencia and Woodard all recorded singles, which brought Tosoni in for the first run. After the Tigers tied it up in the 2nd, Whit Robbins drew a walk in the bottom of the inning. A Danny Santiesteban single would bring Robbins in, in part due to a throwing error by Lakeland firstbaseman Pedro Cotto. Tiger's third baseman Michael Bertram was run over by Robbins during the play, but was able to continue the game after a brief delay.

Brian Dinkelman and Tosoni had both recorded singles in the 3rd and Valencia drew a walk, loading the bases for Woodard's mamoth hit, that jumped the right field fence to make it 6-1 Miracle.

Lakeland took one run back in the top of the 4th when Michael Bertram doubled and Jeramy Laster singled. Pedro Cotto would reach on what was called a fielder's choice after Woodard dropped the ball, twice, at first base allowing Bertram to score.

The game would settle down until the top of the 7th, when Luis Ott would draw a walk off Guerra. Justin Justice then went deep over the right field fence to score 2.

The Miracle were undaunted however, as Dinkelman drew a walk in the bottom of the 7th, then stole 2nd base. Rene Tosoni would bring him in on a ground ball to center.

With Nicholas Martin on the mound for the bottom of the 8th and 2 outs, Toby Gardenhire would single. Dinkleman and Tosoni followed suite to bring in Gardenhire. Valencia then brought in Dinkelman with a line drive to center. After Woodard was hit by a pitch, Martin would be done, with Brendan Wise coming in from the Lakeland bullpen to finish up. Edward Ovalle singled off of him to drive in Tosoni before Wilson Ramos ground into a force out to end the Miracle offense.

Tim Lahey, who is getting a look at some live hitters before being reassigned to Rochester, finished off the game, setting three Lakeland batters down in order.

Tosoni was 4-for-5 in game with 3 runs and 2 RBIs. Valencia was 3-for-4 with a run and 1 RBI while Dinkleman, Woodard and Ovalle were all 2-for-4. Woodard's grand slam gave him 5 RBIs in the game, Dinkleman had 3 runs and walk and Ovalle had a walk and 1 RBI. Ramos, who went 0-for-5, saw his batting average drop to .189.

The Miracle look for a sweep tonight, sending lefty Tyler Robertson (0-1, 2.57) to the hill against right-hander Matt O'Brien (1-0, 3.86).

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The Snappers fell to the West Michigan Whitecaps 2-1 Monday night (Boxscore). Deibinson Romero had a single shot home run in the 5th inning for the Twins Low A farm team. Shortstop Chris Cates was 2-for-3 in the game, but the Tampa, Florida, native did not figure into the scoring.

Reading fell to the New Britain Rock Cats, 5-2. Former Miracle 1st baseman Brock Peterson was 2-for-3 with a walk, a pair of doubles and a run for the Cats while Luke Hughes and Trevor Plouffe were both 2-for-4, Hughes with 1 run and 1 RBI on a single shot home run. Former Miracle Erik Lis also went yard, bringing in 2 RBIs (Boxscore). Armando Gabino picked up the win in relief of starter Anthony Swarzak, who gave up 2 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks while striking out 6 over only 4 innings.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre shut out the Rochester Red Wings for the second straight game. Jason Pridie and Jose Morales had the only hits for the Wings who cold against Yankees starter Darrell Rasner (Boxscore). Glen Perkins suffered the loss, the former Miracle gave up 1 run on six hits and 2 walks while striking out 2 over 5 innings worth of play.

Miracle down Flying Tigers, 6-2

Lakeland 2 at Fort Myers 6

Record 10 - 7

W: J. Manship (3-0, 4.12); L: D. Below (1-2, 5.21); SV: A. Slama (3)
HR: FTM: D. Valencia (3).

It was the bottom of the fifth, and I was just telling Tyler we needed to get some offense going.

"We had 10 hits yesterday," he says. "It was all just one at a time."

"I meant today." We only had 3 hits on the board at the time, and Lakeland had a 2 run lead.

Ryan Strieby had taken a walk in the top of the 3rd, and Jeffrey Kunkel doubled a line drive out to right. A fielding error by Edward Ovalle allowed Strieby to score. Kunkel would go for a triple, and was taken out at 3rd. Cale Iong then tripled off Miracle starter Jeff Manship, out to right. Louis Ott ground out, but Iong came home on the play. Scott Sizemore would single out to left before Brennan Boesch would strike out to retire the side.

Danny Santieseban walked to start out the bottom of the fifth, and Yancarlos Ortiz flew out to right, which led up to the above conversation, with just three Miracle hits on the board.

Brian Dinkelman and Juan Portes both drew walks, when the Tigers decided to pull starter Duane Below and go with reliever Ed Clelland. That gave me a chance to thank Tyler for the autograph and get back to my seat.

Just in time. Danny Valencia got the fourth Miracle hit, singling out to left to bring in Santiesteban. Wilson Ramos kept it going with a life drive out to Jeremy Laster in center field that brought in Dink and Portes. Edward Ovalle would ground into a force out and Rocky Palacios would ground out as well, but the Miracle were on the board and had the lead.

With two outs in the 6th, Brandon Timm would single, but field manager Jeff Smith was taking no chances, turning to reliever Jose Lugo. The outgoing Manship would have given up 2 runs, both earned, on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4 in 5.2 innings worth of work.

Lugo would get the final out in the sixth and hold the Tigers hitless in the seventh.

Gabriel Benitez would take over the mound from Clelland in the 7th, when Dinkelman walked. Portes flew out, and with Valencia at the plate, Dinkelman would steal 2nd. That's when Valencia connected to take Benitez deep, bringing in two. I'd later hear Sean Fox saying on the Miracle broadcast that is was the longest home run he'd seen out of the Miracle. There was no tape, but that ball went a ways, that is for certain. Ramos almost made the fence as well, flying out on the warning track to Brennan Boesch. That gave the Miracle a nice little cushion to their lead.

Anthony Slama would be called in to "Slama the door" on Lakeland, which he did well in the 8th, allowing only walk to Sizemore.

The Flying Tigers turned to pitcher Brendan Wise in the bottom of the 8th. Following a Whit Robbins fly out, Santiesteban and Yancarlos Ortiz would hit back to back doubles to give the Miracle their sixth run of the night. Wise would intentionally walk Dinkelman to get at Portes, who hit a single to left. Valencia would be called out on strikes, a very controversial call by the umpire, especially as Valencia felt he'd earned a walk. Ramon ground into a force out to end the inning.

Slama would make things a bit interesting in the ninth however, allowing a single to Pedro Cotto, and then throwing the ball past 2nd base on a force attempt that allowed Laster to get on the bag. With one out on the board though, held get Strieby to ground into a double play to end the contest.

Valencia would go 2-for-3 on th night with 1 run and 3 RBIs. Dinkelman would go 2-for-2 with 3 walks and 2 runs. Santiesteban was 1-for-2 with a walk, but also had 2 runs to his credit.

The two teams rematch tomorrow for a 7:05 PM start. The Miracle will have Twins' pitcher Kevin Slowey on the mound on a rehab start. Lakeland will send Johan Nickerson (1-1, 7.30) out to the hill in retaliation.

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Despite home runs by Ozzie Lews and Ramon Santana in Beloit, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers still took a win, 4-3 from the Snappers. Blair Erickson and Charles Nolte would combine to surrender 3 runs in the 6th inning, on 2 hits and 3 walks while striking out 2. Erickson would be charged with the loss. Santana would go 2-for-3 with 1 run and 1 RBI at the plate, while right fielder Mark Dolenc was 2-for-5. (Boxscore)

The New Britain Rock Cats downed the Trenton Thunder 5-4 in Eastern League play (Boxscore). Former Miracle lefty Kyle Aselton picked up the win in the 12th inning, the second straight time these two teams have played extra innings. Trevor Plouffe, Matt Moses and Erik Lis were each 2-for-5 in the game, Plouffe and Lis with a run each and Moses and Lis with an RBI each. Dustin Martin was 2-for-6 with 1 run and 1 RBI. Ryan Mullins worked six innings on the mound, allowing 3 runs, 1 earned on 8 hits and 3 walks while striking out 2.

Triple AAA Rochester would take a big 7-4 win from the Scranton/WB Yankees on Sunday. Darren McDonald would go 3-for-3 at the plate with 3 walks and 1 RBI. Chris Basak was 2-for-4 with 2 runs. Former Miracle catcher Jose Morales picked up 2 RBIs in the contest while Jason Pridie accounted for 2 runs and 3 RBIs on a hit and a walk, going yard in the ninth to give the Red Wings the win (Boxscore). Naples resident Carmen Cali recorded his second win of the season for the Twins farm team, while Bobby Korecky recorded his 4th save of the season.