Pearson and Bechtold provide offense in loss

JUPITER, Fla. - The Miracle managed just two runs against four different Jupiter pitchers in a series opening 4-2 loss to the Hammerheads on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.  
The Miracle got off to a fast start. Gabriel Maciel led off the game with a triple off of José Ureña, who was making a rehab start for Jupiter. Jacob Pearson followed with a sacrifice fly to left and the Miracle led, 1-0.
Jupiter took the lead in the bottom of the second. Demetrius Sims and James Nelson each knocked in runs to give the Hammerheads their first lead of the night.  
The Hammerheads added single runs in the third and seventh to push their lead to 4-1.
The Miracle cut the deficit to 4-2 in the ninth on an Andrew Bechtold ground out, but Yeltsin Encarnacion bounced to first representing the tying run to end the game.
Jordan Balazovic (6-4) started for the Miracle and yielded three runs in 4.2 innings. The reigning Minnesota Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Week walked two and struck out three.
The Miracle bullpen allowed just one run in 3.1 innings. Joe Record bounced back after a pair of rough outings, as he allowed just one run in 2.1 innings. Calvin Faucher tossed a scoreless eighth. The right-hander has not allowed a run over his last nine appearances (14.1 innings).
The three-game series continues on Saturday night in Jupiter with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch.
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