Miracle Offense Explodes in 8-5 Victory

FORT MYERS, FL – The Miracle offense, which had been stagnant during their three previous game, rose from the dead and pounded out 11 hits in defeating the Clearwater Threshers 8-5 at Hammond Stadium on Saturday night.

The Miracle trailed 1-0 in the second inning, but exploded for four runs and never looked back. They sent nine men to the plate and with the bases loaded and one out Alexi Casilla’s ground out scored the first run to tie it at one. Trevor Plouffe’s infield single made it 2-1. After Ruben Sierra walked to load the bases, Deacon Burns hit a pop up to Thresher second baseman Peeter Ramos, who dropped the ball and allowed two runs to score.

In the third Jeremy Pickrel led off with a triple to right and scored on Kory Feiners single to center to make it 5-1. They tacked on three more in the fourth when Plouffe led off with a double and Sierra doubled him home. After Burns walked, Brock Peterson’s infield single loaded the bases. One out later Erold Andrus drove home two with a single to left.

Miracle starter John Thomas, who threw 4.2 hitless innings in his first start, went 5.0 innings allowing just one run on three hits while striking out five to earn his first victory of the season.

Casilla finished the night 0-5, snapping his nine game hitting streak. Ploufe was 2-3 with a double, RBI and two runs scored.

The Miracle have Sunday off and return to action on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. at Hammond Stadium to take on the Tampa Yankees in the first of a three game series. The Miracle send RHP Matt Garza (2-0, 0.90) to the mound.