White homers twice as Miracle outslug Threshers

By Special to the Naples Daily News

CLEARWATER — Everything clicked on Sunday afternoon as the Fort Myers Miracle pounded out a season-high 15 hits in a 9-6 win over the Clearwater Threshers at Bright House Networks Field. Every starter had a hit in the offensive outing as the Miracle put an end to their five-game skid.

Dwayne White would get the offense rolling with his first of two dingers on the afternoon with a solo shot in the second. A sacrifice fly from Danny Valencia and an infield RBI single from Erik Lis would complete the three-run, five-hit inning.

A one-out, two-run blast by White in the sixth would send the Miracle out to a 5-0 lead before the Threshers would make things interesting a half-inning later. A pair of hits, four walks and an error would give Clearwater a four-spot in the sixth cutting things to a one-run game. Clay Harris picked up an RBI single while Matt Thayer drew a bases-loaded walk for the only RBI in the inning.

The Miracle would bounce back with three in the seventh to regain a comfortable advantage. Edward Ovalle, Luis Ugueto and Johnny Woodard each singled to lead off the inning, with Woodard’s hit plating Ovalle for a 6-4 lead. Ugueto would score on a wild pitch shortly thereafter, while a Brian Dinkelman base hit to center brought home Woodard for a four-run lead.

A throwing error by catcher Lou Marson ending up scoring Valencia from third for the final Miracle run, before Clearwater would attempt another comeback in its half of the eighth. Marson would make up for his mistake by smacking an opposite field, two-run shot to right bringing the contest to within three. However, that’s all the Threshers could muster against Eddie Morlan and Armando Gabino late in the game.

Along with White’s two home runs on the day, Dinkelman and Ovalle had three hits, while Ugueto racked up a pair of hits in the win. Jeff Manship, who tossed 5.1 innings allowing four runs, two earned, on two hits, picked up the win. Tom Gordon, on rehab from Philadelphia, tossed the first inning and two-thirds for the Threshers, allowing one hit to Ugueto in the second.

The rubber game of the series will take place Monday night at 7 p.m. The Miracle will look to end the road trip on a good note by sending LHP Alexander Smit (1-4, 5.55) to the hill.