Matt Manning allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings but received no support from the offense as the Flying Tigers lost 5-0 to the Fort Myers Miracle.
Matt Manning allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings but received no support from the offense as the Flying Tigers lost 5-0 to the Fort Myers Miracle.
Manning was lights out from the start, tossing 4 2/3 no-hit innings before allowing a single to Caleb Hamilton. He first ran into trouble in the seventh, when back-to-back one out singles put runners at first and third for the Miracle. A sacrifice fly from Hamilton brought in the first run of the game for either side.
Fort Myers starter Griffin Jax equaled Manning and eventually bested him over a career high 7 1/3 innings. The Flying Tigers couldn't muster any offense for the second night in a row, finishing 0-7 with runners in scoring position. Jax scattered four hits and a walk while striking out seven to earn his third win of the season.
Spenser Watkins, Wednesday's originally scheduled starter and the Florida State League leader in ERA, came on in relief and allowed two runs in both the eighth and ninth innings to set the final score at 5-0. The Flying Tigers currently sit in third place in the Florida State League North Division, five games behind the Dunedin Blue Jays.
Up Next: The Flying Tigers will send Anthony Castro (5-3, 3.30 ERA) to the mound to take on Clark Beeker (4-6, 4.04 ERA) in the series finale against the Miracle. Lakeland has been shut out in the first two games of the series and will look to snap a 21-inning scoreless streak.
Wednesday is All-You-Can-Eat night, featuring all the hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, Little Caesars pizza, popcorn, pretzels, and chips you can eat! Fans 21 and older can also enjoy Wine Wednesdays, featuring $3 wine, sangria, and spritzers. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Get your tickets at http://bit.ly/2M4uaSN or by calling the BayCare Box Office at (863) 413-4140.
