Gregory Soto struck out nine over six innings, but three late runs from the Miracle powered Fort Myers to a 5-2 win.
Gregory Soto struck out nine over six innings, but three late runs from the Miracle powered Fort Myers to a 5-2 win.
The Miracle started off the scoring in the first inning. Aaron Whitefield led off with a double and eventually scored on a two-out bloop single by Caleb Hamilton, giving Fort Myers a quick 1-0 lead. The Miracle added to their lead on an RBI double from 2018 All-Star Futures Game participant Alex Kirilloff.
Lakeland's offense was shut down by Griffin Jax, who did not allow a hit until the fifth inning. The Flying Tigers finally broke through against Jax in the sixth, when second baseman Zac Shepherd tripled and scored on a single from Derek Hill. The Flying Tigers mounted another threat in the seventh, loading the bases with one out. Zac Shepherd worked a walk to tie the game at 2, forcing Jax out of the game. With the bases still loaded, Miracle reliever Hector Lujan induced an inning-ending double play, dousing the Flying Tigers best scoring threat of the night.
Fort Myers quickly retook the lead in the top of the eighth on a two-run double from first baseman Taylor Grzelakowski and added an insurance run in the ninth on an RBI single from Travis Blankenhorn. Lakeland put two on with one out in their last at-bat but could not score, ultimately falling 5-2.
Up Next: The Flying Tigers send Spenser Watkins (5-3, 1.54 ERA) to the mound Saturday at 6:00 p.m. to even the series against Fort Myers, who are just one game out of first place in the Florida State League South Division.
Gates open at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow for the Florida Ice Cream Festival! Fans will have the opportunity to sample ice cream from eight local shops before the game from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. After the game, there will be a fireworks extravaganza and a Tina Turner and Blues Brothers tribute concert. Get your tickets at http://bit.ly/2L5otDN or by calling the BayCare Box Office at (863) 413-4140.
