Eighth-inning homer lifts Dunedin over Miracle

By Special to the Naples Daily News

Josh Kruezer picked a great time to belt his 13th home run of the season, a two-run shot in the bottom of the eighth, as the Dunedin Blue Jays knocked off the Fort Myers Miracle 2-1 on Thursday night. The Miracle have now played 31 one-run games this year, falling to 13-18 in those contests.

Both starters looked impressive throughout the night at Knology Park. Miracle starter Zach Ward went six innings, allowing no runs on six hits, with a pair of walks and three strikeouts. Jays starter Brandon Magee went 7.2 innings, allowing the lone Miracle run on eight hits, also with two walks and three strikeouts. Neither starter factored into the decision Thursday night.

After a scoreless seven innings to start off, the Miracle would finally break through in their eighth. Edward Ovalle led off with a single to right, moved to second on a wild pitch and went to third and Johnny Woodard’s groundout to short. Catcher Jeff Christy would line a single to left to plate Ovalle for the 1-0 lead.

In the Dunedin eighth, a lead-off walk to Anthony Hatch from Armando Gabino would prove costly as two hitters later, Kruezer would crush the go-ahead, two-run shot to left. Aaron Tressler, who threw to Erik Lis in relief of Magee, with the bases-loaded in the eighth, got a fly ball to left from Lis for his only out that earned him the win.

Dunedin will go for the sweep Friday night at 7 as it sends lefty A.J. Wideman (5-2, 3.76) to the mound against right-hander Jay Rainville (4-8, 3.59) for the Miracle.