Miracle collect 15 hits in win over Red Sox

Offense prevailed Saturday night at Hammond Stadium as the Fort Myers Miracle pounded out 15 hits en route to a 6-4, Florida State League victory against the Sarasota Red Sox.

Every Miracle player except Jose Morales had at least one hit, and Fort Myers came from behind twice to overtake the Red Sox. Down 2-1 in the fourth inning, the Miracle tied it up with an RBI single by Eli Tintor.

After the Red Sox got two runs in the fifth, the Miracle answered with two of their own in the bottom half. After Trent Oeltjen led off the inning with a walk, Danny Matienzo’s RBI double scored Oeltjen. Two outs later, Ben Pattee singled home Matienzo.

The Miracle took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth inning. Kaulana Kuhaulua hit a one-out triple and Oeltjen knocked him home with an RBI single. Kuhaulua finished the night 3-for-3, falling a homer short of the cycle and scoring three runs.

Miracle starter Francisco Liriano went six innings, allowing four runs on nine hits, while striking out five as he won for the third consecutive start in improving to 6-7. He is 19 strikeouts shy of setting a Miracle season record.

Pat Neshek picked up his third consecutive save by pitching two perfect innings.

The Miracle will have today off. They will play host to the Clearwater Threshers on Monday.