Pitchers excel again as Miracle top Yanks

By Special To The News-press

TAMPA — If the fifth starter in the rotation throws like he did Monday night, the Fort Myers Miracle are going to be tough to beat in 2006.

John Thomas hurled 4 2/3 no-hit innings before being removed because of a 75 pitch count and the Miracle moved to 5-0 with a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Yankees at Legends Field.

Thomas was on from the start, retiring the first 14 batters he faced. He nearly matched the five perfect innings that starter Kevin Slowey tossed on Saturday night, but Thomas walked the 15th man he faced, Tim Battle with two outs in the fifth. That was it for Thomas who allowed just the walk and struck out six.

Angel Garcia, who relieved Thomas, struck out the next batter to end the inning. The Yankees finally collected their first hit with two outs in the sixth inning when Brett Gardner lined a single to center field to break up the no-hitter.

The same two teams meet tonight with the Miracle sending RHP Matt Garza (1-0, 1.80) to the hill against Yankee RHP Brett Smith (1-0, 0.00).