Palm Beach erases deficit in final inning, wins 8-3
By CHRIS UMPIERRE
Fort Myers News Press
Justin Olson has been the Fort Myers Miracle's workhorse out of the bullpen all season. The hard-throwing right-hander had appeared in a team-high 35 games through Wednesday.
On most nights, Fort Myers' All-Star closer has delivered.
Thursday wasn't one of those nights.
The Palm Beach Cardinals scored six runs off Olson in the ninth inning to turn a 3-2 deficit into an 8-3 victory in front of 1,092 at the Lee County Sports Complex. It was Olson's fourth blown save of the season and first since June 27.
He is 8-for-12 in save chances.
"They hit my pitches, I don't know what else to say," said Olson, shaking his head. "Throwing that ball away to third base … that was stupid."
Olson opened the ninth by walking third baseman Kevin Estrada. After left fielder Jason Frome singled, Palm Beach pinch-hitter Blake Blasi bunted the ball back to Olson. The right-hander fielded the ball, turned and threw the ball past third baseman Brett Tamburrino. Estrada scored on the error, tying the game at 3.
After intentionally walking catcher Ben Rosenthal, it appeared Olson was going to escape more damage as he retired the next two batters, both with the bases loaded. Olson, however, hung a 1-2 slider to Palm Beach center fielder Reid Gorecki and Gorecki made him pay, smashing an RBI single to left field to put the Cardinals up 4-3.
"I shouldn't have thrown that," Olson said. "I should have thrown a fastball but what are you going to do?"
Greg Catalanotte followed with a two-run single. John Santor belted a two-run double. Miracle manager Jose Marzan pulled Olson after Santor's blast to deep center field.
"It's one of those things that happen," Miracle catcher Jose Morales said. "I can't say anything bad about him. He's been doing a great job for us so far. He's a great pitcher. An All-Star."
Olson took a different route to the Minnesota Twins' organization. The Twins purchased his contract from Rockford of the independent Frontier League last year. He was a combined 3-0 with a 2.31 ERA and six saves for Quad City and Fort Myers last season.
Olson, whose fastball tops out in the mid-90s, has been solid. He was one of four Miracle players named to the Florida State League All-Star Game.
But Olson has appeared in a career-high 36 games, fourth-most in the FSL. Olson said his arm feels OK.
Olson's blown save overshadowed a fine Miracle comeback.
Cardinals starter Buddy Blair took a no-hitter into the bottom of the sixth inning. But that's where the left-hander ran into trouble. Tamburrino, the Miracle's No. 8 hitter, started the frame by singling to right field. Shortstop Jesus Merchan followed with a bunt single.
Second baseman Ben Pattee and first baseman Danny Matienzo each had RBI singles later in the inning to tie the game at 2. Morales belted a sacrifice fly to right field to put the Miracle up 3-2.
"Our plan going into that inning was to take the ball the other way," Morales said. "Everything he was throwing us was outside, outside, outside. Every-body tried to go opposite field and it worked out."
Miracle left-hander Francisco Liriano had his best start of the second half. He allowed two runs and six hits in 5.1 innings. Liriano gave up two solo home runs to left field in the sixth inning.
"Two small mistakes," Morales said. "He's been pitching good his last couple starts. We're just not hitting when he's pitching."
Webposted 07/09/04
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