Miracle overcome hitting slump to win

By SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS

For a team struggling to score, it was a pleasant sight Monday night when the Fort Myers Miracle welcomed the Clearwater Threshers to the Lee County Sports Complex.

The Miracle took advantage for a 4-1 Florida State League victory.

The Threshers came into town with a team ERA of nearly 5.5 runs a game, while the Miracle was mired in a stretch of 8-for-86 (.093) at the plate.

The result wasn't exactly an offensive outburst, but the Miracle got enough runs to win.

Trailing 1-0 in the third inning, Denard Span reached on a bunt single. He moved to second on an errant pick-off throw by the pitcher. Matt Moses clubbed an RBI double to right that tied the game. Brock Peterson singled to center to drive home Moses.

Fort Myers finished the scoring in the third when Kyle Phillips' double to left scored Peterson.

Miracle starter Errol Simonitsch was on his game. After struggling in the first, he settled down, retiring seven in a row and 17 of his last 19 in earning his second win of the season.

He went six innings, allowing one run on three hits. He walked one and struck out six.

The Miracle pitching staff gave up just four hits and had 10 strikeouts.

Tristan Crawford pitched the final 1 1/3 innings and struck out three to earn his first save of the season.

Span went 2-for-4, with a run scored.

The Miracle will send right-hander Scott Tyler (0-1, 4.50 ERA) to the mound tonight against Threshers righty Matt Sweeney (0-2, 12.27).