Tolbert wins job as leadoff hitter

By David Dorsey
Fort Myers News Press

The Fort Myers Miracle needed to find a new leadoff hitter.

The Florida State League baseball team has found one in Matt Tolbert, a 23-year-old outfielder and 16th-round draft pick by the Minnesota Twins last year.

After outfielder Denard Span's promotion to Double-A New Britain, Miracle manager Riccardo Ingram had to find a new hitter at the top of the order.

Tolbert, who entered Monday's game against the Palm Beach Cardinals with a .252 batting average and a .309 on-base percentage, has won the job.

Span had a .339 average and a .410 on-base percentage before his promotion.

"He was the nine-hitter when Span was here, and I like that nine-hitter to have some speed," Ingram said of Tolbert, who has stolen seven bases.

Tolbert, who attended Centreville (Miss.) Academy high school, hit .308 with a .375 on-base percentage last summer in the Gulf Coast League.

"Matt's done a good job leading off," Ingram said. "He plays hard. He tries to get on base. He's working at it. You have to remember, this is just his second year of professional ball."

Before today's rare, 12:05 p.m. start against the Cardinals, the Miracle will celebrate "Big Splash Day."

Before the game, at which lunch, sunscreen and towels will be permitted at the Lee County Sports Complex, fans will be allowed on a side field from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

There will be various water slides, wading pools, water balloons, water guns and even some fire hoses on hand.

The rest of this week's promotional calender includes "I was Alive in '85" night at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday and half-price beer at 7:05 p.m. on "Thursty" Thursday.

C Kyle Phillips entered Monday night with a 10-game hitting streak, tied with shortstop J.R. Taylor for the second-longest streak this season.

Span had a 13-game hitting streak earlier in the year.

RHP Adam Harben, who missed two starts with a sore left side, is expected to start today's game.

"Hopefully, he'll be back, and that will get our pitching in order," Ingram said.

RHP Tristan Crawford, who began the season as a middle reliever, will stay in the starting rotation following the promotions of LHPs Glen Perkins and Errol Simonitsch to Double-A.

Crawford has a 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA as a starter. He was 2-1 with a 3.47 ERA as a reliever.

"As it is, he's staying in there," Ingram said. "He hasn't done badly in that role. He's held his own."