Miracle 6, Threshers 5

Special to The News-Press

Despite managing only three hits for the entire game, the Fort Myers Miracle were able to beat the host Clearwater Threshers 6-5 on Wednesday afternoon at Bright House Networks Field.

The Miracle, who improved to 11-8, scored five runs in the second inning — on just one hit. Thresher starter Julio De La Cruz couldn't find the strike zone, walking Garrett Guzman and Jeremy Pickrel.

He then proceeded to hit the next three batters, with the last two — Johnny Woodard and Jose Leger — forcing home runs. That was all De La Cruz would last.

Enter Matt Sweeney. He gave up an RBI ground out to Kory Feiner and then balked home the fourth run of the inning.

Alexi Casilla, who extended his hitting streak to nine games and has hit safely in 18 of 19, tripled home Leger to make it 5-1.

The Miracle had to hang on from there. Kyle Aselton was sharp, but his defense let him down. With the score 5-2 in the fifth, Aselton retired the first two batters of the inning and got Avelino Asprilla to hit a pop up to Leger at third. Leger tried to shield his eyes from the sun, but the ball fell to his left and it was ruled a double.

Aselton then walked Matt Thayer, and Peeter Ramos doubled them home to make it 5-4. Aselton went five innings, allowing four runs on five hits while walking three and striking out two.

The Miracle got a big insurance run in the seventh. Casilla led off the inning by chopping a ball to short, which Asprilla couldn't field. Casilla wound up at second on the two-base error.

With two outs, Guzman picked up the Miracle's second hit of the game, singling to right field to drive in Casilla. The only other Fort Myers hit was a single off the wall by Woodard, but he was thrown out trying to go to second.

Miracle reliever Angel Garcia was solid in his two innings of work, allowing one hit, walking one and striking out three. JP Martinez was called upon to close out the game. He gave up a solo homer in the eighth to Brian Sellier to make it a one-run game. In the ninth, Martinez walked Brian Burgamy with one out, but got Asprilla to ground into a fielder's choice and Thayer to fly out to center. Martinez picked up his third save of the season.

The teams will meet again at 7:05 tonight at Bright House Networks Field. The Miracle will send left-hander John Thomas (1-0, 2.45 ERA) to the mound against Thresher right-hander Andrew Baldwin (0-2, 4.15 ERA).