Fort Myers opens second half with a bang

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Fort Myers Miracle used an offensive explosion and masterful starting pitching from Charlie Barnes to crush the Bradenton Marauders, 10-0, Thursday night at Lecom Park in the second half opener.
Leading 1-0 in the fifth, the Fort Myers offense went to work, scoring six runs off Bradenton starter James Marvel. Lewin Diaz and Travis Blankenhorn each drove in runs with singles before Ben Rortvedt plated them both on a double to left to make it 5-0. Caleb Hamilton and Brandon Lopez followed with run scoring hits to make it 7-0.
Fort Myers capped off the game's scoring with a three-run sixth inning. Taylor Grzelakowski made it 8-0 with a single before Hamilton collected his second and third RBI's of the night with a triple.
Barnes (2-4) tossed seven shutout innings for the Miracle to earn his second win of the season. The left-hander allowed just five hits. He walked two and struck out four.
Fresh off the disabled list, Colton Davis tossed two scoreless innings to preserve the shutout.
Marvel (6-5) lasted just 4.2 innings in surrendering seven runs on 11 hits. He walked two and struck out five.
Blake Weiman followed Marvel and allowed three runs in 1.1 innings of work. Scooter Hightower (two innings) and Matt Eckelman (one inning) combined to blank the Miracle over the final three innings.
Playing in his first game since being promoted from Low-A Cedar Rapids, Alex Kirilloff went 1-6 with a run. Kirilloff entered the season ranked as the number three prospect in the Twins organization, according to Baseball America.
Every Miracle starter recorded at least a hit. The 10 runs and 18 hits were both season highs.
The four-game series continues Friday night from Bradenton. Tyler Wells (5-3, 2.47) makes the start for the Miracle. He'll face Adam Oller (0-1, 4.22). First pitch is 6:30 p.m.