Goodrum picks up four RBI in 7-4 victory

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 20, 2014) - Niko Goodrum's three-run homer in the sixth inning helped the Fort Myers Miracle to a 7-4 win over the Brevard County Manatees on Sunday afternoon at Hammond Stadium.

Leading 3-1 in the sixth, Goodrum blasted a 1-2 pitch from Manatees starter Jorge Lopez beyond the drink rail seating to give the Miracle an important five-run cushion. Lopez (8-5) started the inning retiring the first two hitters, but issued a walk to Stuart Turner. Max Kepler then lined a single through the right side to put runners and first and second. Goodrum's homer, his second of the season, was a towering shot and pushed the Miracle lead to 6-1.

Fort Myers needed the offense. After seven strong innings from starter Tim Shibuya, Miracle reliever B.J. Hermsen struggled in the top of the eighth. In the span of six pitches, Hermsen gave up a pair of singles and a three-run homer to Michael Reed to cut the Miracle advantage to 6-4.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Miracle got a run back with another clutch hit from Goodrum. With Turner on second base and two outs, Goodrum lifted a full count pitch from Manatees reliever Chad Pierce into right to drive in Turner and restore a three-run lead, 7-4.

Todd Van Steensel popped out of the Miracle bullpen in the ninth and faced four batters to record his first save in the Florida State League.

Shibuya (7-3) earned the win while allowing just one run on seven hits. Setting the tone by striking out the first four hitters of the game, Shibuya ended the night with five punch outs and one walk.

The Miracle provided Shibuya with an early lead after scoring three runs in the third. Lopez began the inning with a walk to Jorge Polanco. After a base hit from Travis Harrison, Dalton Hicks rolled into a force play at second base to put runners on the corners. Adam Brett Walker then doubled down the third base line to bring in a pair of runs and add to his FSL-leading RBI total of 72.

Gonzales followed with a line drive single that bounced through a drawn-in Manatees infield to plate Walker. The base hit for Gonzales extended his hitting streak to 12 games.

Lopez finished the evening with six runs, five earned, on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts for Brevard County.

The only run Shibuya gave up to the Manatees came in the fourth on a RBI single by Mike Garza.

The Miracle (60-37, 19-9) host Brevard County (51-40, 15-10) for the second of a four-game series at Hammond Stadium on Monday. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and fans can order tickets by calling (239) 768-4210 or ordering online at www.miraclebaseball.com.