Jays rollick against Miracle

The Florida State League playoffs-bound Dunedin Blue Jays rolled past the Fort Myers Miracle 10-1 on Thursday night at Dunedin's Knology Park.

The Blue Jays, winners of the first-half FSL Western Division title, exploded for six runs in the third inning to put the game away. With the Blue Jays leading 2-1 in the third, they sent 11 men to the plate, and scored their six runs on two singles, two doubles, two hit batsmen, a walk and two sacrifice flies.

With the FSL's Most Valuable Pitcher, Ismael Ramirez, on the mound for the Blue Jays that was more than enough offense. Ramirez went five innings allowing one run on seven hits while walking one and striking out two.

The Miracle trailed 1-0 in the second, but tied it up when Garrett Guzman singled, stole second and scored on a Jesus Merchan RBI single. Merchan finished the night 2 for 3.

The Miracle had another opportunity in the fourth. They loaded the bases with nobody out, but Ramirez got Ben Pattee and Kaulana Kuhaulua on strikes and got Alex Romero to ground out.

The same two teams are scheduled to play at 7:05 tonight in Dunedin, Hurricane Frances permitting.

Fort Myers will start left-hander Ricky Barrett (5-1, 3.52 ERA) against Blue Jays right-hander Chad Pleiness (4-3, 4.40).