Miracle break out brooms vs. Yanks

Fort Myers is withing 1 and 1/2 games of Western Division leaders Lakeland and Dunedin with one weekend of play remaining

By Naples Daily News staff

The Fort Myers Miracle won their fourth straight game with a 9-4 series sweep of the Tampa Yankees on Wednesday night at Hammond Stadium.

The Miracle (36-29, 73-56) now sit 1 1/2 games behind the Dunedin Blue Jays and Lakeland Tigers in the Florida State League's West Division. The Tigers' 10-4 loss to Clearwater allowed the Blue Jays to pull into a tie for the division lead. If the Tigers, who won the division in the season's first half, win the second, the second place team earns a playoff spot.

Right fielder Scott Whitrock blitzed the Yankees for six RBIs, going 2 for 4 with two home runs, his 14th and 15th of the season.

Both homers were hit with two men on base. Catcher Kyle Geiger went 3-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 12 games.

Adam Harben pitched six innings for his 10th win of the season. Harben allowed three earned runs on eight hits, striking out three and walking two.

The Miracle travel to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota tonight to begin their season-ending series with the Sarasota Reds at 7. Fort Myers returns home to complete the series this weekend.

Lakeland will play host to Tampa today, while Dunedin travels to Clearwater to play the Threshers.

Miracle to collect hurricane supplies

The Fort Myers Miracle have put together an opportunity for Southwest Florida residents to help out those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

On Saturday night, Sept. 3 in conjunction with our Fan Appreciation Fireworks Baseball Game presented by Sun Harvest Citrus, WWGR & WJGO, the Miracle will be accepting hurricane relief items in support of the Hurricane Katrina Disaster relief efforts.

Fan are encouraged to bring relief supplies; clothing, blankets, diapers, etc., any item that will be needed in the recovery efforts, excluding food supplies.

Monetary donations will also be excepted. All donations will be given to The American Red Cross.

Gates open at 6 p.m.

Game start at 7:05 pm. Box seats are $7 and grandstand reserved $5. Call 239-768-4210.