Miracle win streak at 9

Special to the Daily Breeze

JUPITER — Rare is it that teams play a five-game series in the Florida State League. It’s even rarer that a team sweeps a five-game series.

That’s exactly what the Fort Myers Miracle did Thursday night with their fifth win over the Jupiter Hammerheads over four days, capping it off with a 3-1 victory. The win is the ninth straight for the Miracle (32-20) and coupled with the Clearwater Threshers’ loss to the St. Lucie Mets the Miracle extend their lead in the Florida State League’s Western Division to 2 1/2 games.

The Miracle got all the offense they needed in the fourth inning. Trevor Plouffe led off with an infield single, extending his hitting streak to 10 games, and advanced to second on a throwing error.

With one out, Brock Peterson singled to center to drive in Plouffe. With two outs, Luke Hughes singled before Steve Tolleson and Jeff Christy delivered back-to-back RBI singles.

Miracle starter Anthony Swarzak was strong once again, going six shutout innings allowing just two hits while walking two and striking out four to earn his ninth win of the season.

The Miracle began the nine-game streak Aug. 9 and were two games out of first place. They have picked up 4 1/2 games during the streak with 18 games remaining.

The Miracle begin a long homestand Friday against the Lakeland Tigers.