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Mize Bested by Lewis in Battle of No. 1s

Casey Mize. Lakeland Flying Tigers v Ft. Myers Miracle. Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Lakeland, Fla. Aug. 6, 2018. (Photo by Tom Hagerty.) (Tom Hagerty)
August 6, 2018

Lakeland, FL - 2018 No. 1 overall pick Casey Mize served up two home runs, including one to 2017 No. 1 overall pick Royce Lewis, in his Publix Field debut as the Fort Myers Miracle used two big innings to defeat the Flying Tigers 13-0.

Lakeland, FL - 2018 No. 1 overall pick Casey Mize served up two home runs, including one to 2017 No. 1 overall pick Royce Lewis, in his Publix Field debut as the Fort Myers Miracle used two big innings to defeat the Flying Tigers 13-0.

Mize looked sharp early as neither team mounted much of a threat in the first two innings. That changed in the top of the third when Mize issued a leadoff walk to the nine-hole hitter, Aaron Whitefield. In a meeting between 2017 and 2018's No. 1 overall MLB draft picks, Royce Lewis sent Mize's next pitch into the bullpen to give Fort Myers a 2-0 lead. Taylor Grzelawkoski, the designated hitter, followed with his seventh home run of the season. Mize exited after three innings and allowed three runs on five hits, including the two home runs.
The onslaught continued in the fourth. Travis Blankenhorn greeted Wladimir Pinto with a solo home run on the first pitch of the inning, sparking the Miracle offense to a five-run frame. Lewis, Grzelakowski, and Alex Kiriloff all had RBI hits in the inning.
The Flying Tigers bullpen extended its struggles in the sixth, walking a total of five batters in the inning. After three bases-loaded walks from Brandyn Sittinger, the Miracle lead ballooned to 11. The lone bright spot of the night was Drew Carlton, who held Fort Myers scoreless in the seventh and eighth.
Andres Sthormes, the designated hitter, made his first career pitching appearance for the Flying Tigers in the ninth. With a man on first, Royce Lewis smashed his second home run of the night to push the final margin to 13-0. Lewis finished with his second career 5-RBI game, both of which have come against the Flying Tigers.
Up Next: Matt Manning (3-1, 3.21 ERA) and the Flying Tigers look to avenge the blowout loss Tuesday night against Griffin Jax (2-1, 3.41 ERA) and the Miracle. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The Flying Tigers are partnering with the Lakeland Police Department to celebrate National Night Out and give neighborhood crime a going away party! Fans can also play baseball bingo during the game to win prizes from Hooters and eat $2 tacos. Adults 21 and older can enjoy $3 Margaritas and Modelo specials. Get your tickets at ­­http://bit.ly/2nbCqlM or by calling the BayCare Box Office at (863) 413-4140.