Jay carves up Mets, Miracle shut out St. Lucie, 4-0

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 31, 2016) - Tyler Jay hurled eight brilliant innings and totaled a season-high 11 strikeouts to guide the Fort Myers Miracle to a 4-0 shutout of the St. Lucie Mets on Tuesday night at Hammond Stadium.

Jay (4-4) and Miracle reliever Yorman Landa faced just one over the minimum while the Miracle defensive trio of shortstop Engelb Vielma, second baseman Nick Gordon and first baseman Alex Real turned three double plays. Jay recorded at least one strikeout in each inning pitched including three in the sixth after a lead-off single from Tomas Nido.

After going to a 3-1 count on Champ Stuart to begin the fourth inning, Jay did not enter a two-ball count for the remainder of his time in the game while also throwing a first pitch strike to 19-of-25 batters. Totaling 98 pitches, 73 for strikes, Jay lowered his ERA on the season to 2.44.

Edgar Corcino provided a two-out, two-run triple to start a three-run inning and put the Miracle out front, 3-0, after one frame. Tanner Witt initialized the rally by working a walk from St. Lucie starter Josh Prevost. Gordon then rolled out to first base on a hit-and-run and Witt moved to second. Prevost (3-6) issued a base on balls to Alex Real. Corcino then ripped a 1-0 pitch that kicked up chalk down the right field line. Witt and Real scored while Corcino slid into third safely.

On the next pitch, Chris Paul hit a soft dribbler to third base. Jhoan Urena raced in and attempted a barehand pick-up, but the ball rolled under his finger tips. Paul reached on an infield single and was credited with an RBI as Corcino scored, 3-0.

The Miracle added an insurance run in the seventh. With two outs, Mets reliever Robert Coles issued a walk to Vielma. Witt stepped in to the batters box. On a 1-1 pitch, Vielma took off and stole second base on a Coles outside pitch. Witt then lined the 2-1 delivery from Coles into the gap in right center field. Vielma scored standing and pushed the Miracle advantage to 4-0.

Landa recorded the final three outs in the ninth to seal the seventh shutout win for Fort Myers this season. The Miracle snapped a three-game losing streak.

The series continues on Wednesday when the Miracle (26-26) host the Mets (25-26) at Hammond Stadium on Islands Night at 7:05 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the Miracle will celebrate the businesses and residents of Sanibel and Captiva with a pregame parade. Keaton Steele (1-4) is set to start for Fort Myers against Chris Flexen (3-5) for St. Lucie. For tickets and information, visit www.miraclebaseball.com or call (239) 768-4210.