Playoff pulse still pumping

By Glenn Miller
Fort Myers News Press

The Fort Myers Miracle have a playoff heartbeat. It's faint, nearly flat-lining, but it's there. Listen closely. Thump. Thump. Thump.

The Miracle entered play Tuesday with a 21-23 record in the second half of the Florida State League season. They were in fifth place and eight games behind the first-place Tampa Yankees in the West Division. Three other teams sat between the Miracle and the Yankees.

Fort Myers has 25 games remaining. Although their chances of leapfrogging four teams and winning the second-half title are remote, Miracle manager Kevin Boles doesn't want his players writing off the season.

"We're not in this to lose ballgames," Boles said Monday morning from Daytona Beach, where the Miracle is playing a four-game series that will conclude Wednesday. "That's for sure. Our guys are competing well."

The Miracle finished fifth in the first half, posting a 30-40 record. For the year, they're 51-63.

Even as the hottest weather of the year is smothering the state, the Miracle is going about its normal pre-game routines. Work on fundamentals such as cut-offs and relays, as well as infield and outfield work.

"You have to get your work in," Boles said.

One of the newest members of the team, outfielder Dustin Martin, who was acquired in a trade last week, has been a bright spot. In his first five games with the Miracle, after playing most of the season with the St. Lucie Mets, Martin is 7-for-17, with two homers and a stolen base. He's hitting .293, with eight homers and 12 stolen bases, combined for the year. That includes two games in the Gulf Coast League.

"He's as advertised," Boles said. "He's a very strong kid. solid game. He has a lot of strength to his pull field. He can definitely attack a fastball. He can throw a little bit. He can do a little bit of everything."

Manship honored

Miracle pitcher Jeff Manship was named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week for July 23-29. He was 1-1, with a 0.75 ERA, during the week. He struck out 12 Lakeland Flying Tigers in five innings July 23. Manship, who started the year with the Beloit Snappers of the Midwest League, had the best control and breaking ball in that league, according to a survey by Baseball America.