Miracle top Sarasota

By special to the Fort Myers News Press

On the same night Matt Garza made his Major League debut with the Minnesota Twins, Anthony Swarzak fared far better at Hammond Stadium.

Swarzak struck out a season-high 11 Sarasota Reds as the Fort Myers Miracle won their third straight game 7-0 on Saturday night.

Swarzak struck out two Reds in each of the first three innings as well as two in the seventh and eighth innings, while recording one strikeout in the seventh. Swarzak tossed four no-hit innings before giving up a leadoff single to Jay Garthwaite in the fifth. He didn't allow another hit until two were out in the eighth when he gave up back-to-back singles to John Purdom and Hector Tiburcio. Swarzak left the game after that, going 7 2/3 shutout innings, allowing just three hits while walking one and striking out 11 to earn his eighth win of the season.

The Miracle tied another season high by hitting three homers on the night. The Miracle got on the board in the second when Deacon Burns launched a solo homer over the right field wall, his fourth of the season.

Brock Peterson continued his torrid pace in 2006 by slugging his 17th homer of the season. Brandon Roberts hit a two-run homer.

The teams meet in the finale of the two-game series tonight at Hammond Stadium at 7:05. The Miracle send right-hander Josh Hill (6-4, 5.19) to the mound against Reds righty James Avery (6-7, 4.96).