Miracle sweep Threshers

Special to the Daily Breeze

With a big six-game road trip looming, the Fort Myers Miracle knew they needed to take care of business against the Clearwater Threshers at Hammond Stadium.

After hanging on for a 6-5 win in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday night, the Miracle needed to rally late in the nightcap for a 4-2 win and a two-game sweep. Having taken three of four from the Threshers, the Miracle have opened a 1 1/2-game lead on the Tampa Yankees — who beat the Sarasota Reds 5-3 — and a 3 1/2-game lead on the Threshers with 11 games to go.

In the second game, the Miracle trailed 2-1 in the sixth. Trevor Plouffe and David Winfree singled off reliever Brian Reed. After Brock Peterson’s fielder’s choice, Deacon Burns tied the game 2-2 with a sac-fly to right with Peterson tagging and taking second.

Luke Hughes then lined a double just inside the left field line to give the Miracle a 3-2 lead. Justin Arneson followed with an RBI single and the Miracle got a big inning late for the second straight night.

Miracle starter Jeff Manship pitched well, giving up two runs in the first inning on an RBI double by Mike Costanzo and an RBI single by Tim Moss. That was all he allowed, going four innings with four hits while walking one and striking out five.

The Miracle got a scare in game one and needed to hold off the Threshers in the last inning leading 6-2.

The Miracle built a big lead which, it turned out, they needed. Plouffe roped a one-out double and Winfree followed with an RBI double.

The Miracle put up four in the second on Brandon Roberts’ RBI single and Winfree’s three-run homer to left, his 11th of the season, to take a 5-0 lead.

Peterson doubled in the fifth and scored on Steve Tolleson’s sac-fly.

Miracle starter Anthony Swarzak went 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits while walking three, striking out five and earning his 10th win of the season.

Miracle starting pitcher Anthony Swarzak (above) earned his 10th win in the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader, a 6-5 victory. / Photo by Vandy Majors