Yankees topple Miracle 15-10 in bizarre game

By Special To News-press.com

Football season may not start for a while, but the final score of Monday night's Fort Myers Miracle-Tampa Yankees game would have been best suited for the gridiron as the Miracle lost 15-10 at Hammond Stadium.

The game was as bizarre as the final score would indicate:

The Miracle loaded the bases with nobody out in the first inning and were unable to score.

Fort Myers recorded four strikeouts in the second, but a costly dropped third strike led to three runs.

Miracle starter Matt Garza left the game because his own player hit him in the back with a throw to home plate in the second.

The Yankees dropped back-to-back pop-ups before the Miracle's Garrett Guzman tied the game with a three-run homer.

On top of all that, the Miracle's usually dependable pitching staff struggled, allowing a grand slam and two five-run innings. The Miracle lost despite outhitting the Yankees 16-13.

Guzman finished 4-for-5, with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored. Kory Feiner went 2-for-5, with a double, two RBI and two runs scored.

The teams will meet at Hammond Stadium at 7:05 tonight. Fort Myers will send right-hander Anthony Swarzak (1-1, 4.32 ERA) to the mound against Tampa right-hander Brett Smith (1-0, 0.00).