Miracle lose opener 2-0

Special to the Cape Coral Daily Breeze

SARASOTA — It may have been the season opener for both the Sarasota Reds and Fort Myers Miracle, but the two starters looked to be in midseason form, engaging in a pitcher’s duel Thursday night.

It was the Reds who prevailed 2-0, in just over two hours, to earn the season’s first win.

Reds’ starter Carlos Fisher tossed seven scoreless innings, scattering just three hits, while fanning two and walking one. Miracle hurler Kyle Waldrop was just as impressive, tossing a clean five innings, allowing no hits and striking out seven in his 2007 debut.

Things looked good for the Miracle when Steve Tolleson smacked a leadoff single in the first, followed by Eli Tintor reaching base on Jeremiah Piepkorn’s error. Fisher quickly settled down with three fly balls to retire the side.

Waldrop retired the first nine in a row before hitting Mike Griffin and Adam Rosales with pitches, putting Sarasota base runners on for the first time. This time is was Waldrop’s turn to settle down as he induced a ground ball from Jay Bruce followed by a pair of strikeouts to end the threat.

Sarasota put their two runs up in the sixth. Bruce delivered a two-out single to right. A miscue in right field by Dwayne White allowed Rosales to score from first. With Bruce at second, Miracle reliever Jay Rainville tried to get out of the inning with a ground ball to first, but a tricky hop slid past Whit Robbins into right field, allowing Bruce to score from second.

The Miracle face the Reds Friday night at Hammond Stadium.