Christensen, Kanzler lead charge in 11-5 win

BRADENTON, Fla. (May 18, 2015) - The Fort Myers Miracle pumped out 11 runs on 12 hits in a series opening 11-5 victory over the Bradenton Marauders on Monday evening at McKechnie Field.

Trailing 1-0 in the fourth, the Miracle jumped on Bradenton spot starter Andy Otamendi. After facing the minimum and allowing just one hit in the first three frames, Otamendi (2-4) surrendered a lead off single to Zack Granite. Swiping second base, Granite watched as Jason Kanzler earned a walk. Niko Goodrum then smoked a line drive up the middle to score Granite and tie the game, 1-1.

Bradenton manager Michael Ryan made the call to the bullpen and brought in Julio Eusebio. Chad Christensen greeted Eusebio with a base hit into left to load up the bases. Mitch Garver gave the Miracle the lead with a sacrifice fly to right field and Bryan Haar added a third run in the inning on an RBI ground out to second.

The Marauders rallied for a second unearned run off Miracle starter Aaron Slegers in the bottom of the fourth. After a Vielma throwing error allowed a run to score in the second, Logan Wade's poor throw to second base on a force play opened the door for an Austin Meadows RBI ground out to the pitcher, 3-2.

Kanzler and the Miracle answered in the next half inning. Vielma doubled down the left field line off Eusebio with one out. After Granite flew out to center, Vielma moved to third on a wild pitch. Kanzler then stepped up and blasted a 2-2 pitch from Eusebio halfway up the grandstand bleachers beyond the outfield boardwalk in left field. The home run was Kanzler's fourth of the season and extended the Miracle lead to 5-2. Fort Myers added a third run in the inning on a bases loaded walk issued to Haar, his second RBI.

Leading 6-2, the Miracle continued to mount the lead. In the sixth, Kanzler added an RBI double to center field. In the seventh, a second bases loaded walk of the game was issued to Marcus Knecht while Wade and Vielma followed with RBI fielder's choices. With three more runs in the sevent, the Miracle built a 10-2 lead.

The final offense from the Miracle bats came in the top of the eighth. Kanzler reached on an error by shortstop Chris Diaz. After Goodrum flew out, Christensen roped a double down the third base line and Kanzler scored to push the Miracle lead to 11-3. The hit was Christensen's fourth of the night and he finished 4-for-5 with two doubles, a run scored and an RBI.