Crowd inspires Miracle win

By SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS

There is something about playing in front of large crowds that really brings out the best in the Florida State League's Fort Myers Miracle.

The Miracle improved to 8-0 when playing in front of 3,000 or more people as they defeated the Sarasota Reds 5-1 in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 7,954 on Sunday night at the Lee County Sports Complex.

In the second inning, Trent Oeltjen reached on a two-base throwing error by Reds catcher Miguel Perez. Scott Whitrock's bunt single moved Oeltjen to third and he scored on a Justin Arneson single to center.

In the third, Brock Peterson singled with two out. After Oeltjen walked, Whitrock doubled to left to score Peterson.

Fort Myers tacked on two more runs in the fifth when Matt Moses walked and Kyle Phillips singled to right. The right fielder's throw to third was cut off and second baseman Luis Bolivar's throw to first to try to get Phillips went into the dugout. Moses came in to score and Phillips reached third. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Peterson to make it 4-0.

J.R. Taylor tacked on an RBI single in the sixth.

Tristan Crawford went five shutout innings, allowing five hits while walking two and striking out six for the win.

Chris Schutt worked 1 2/3 innings to earn his fifth save.