Miracle outslug Hammerheads, 11-8

By Special to the Naples Daily News

FORT MYERS — In an offensive ball game that saw 19 runs, 25 hits and 19 runners left stranded, when all was said and done, the Fort Myers Miracle were able to pick up their third-straight win, an 11-8 decision over the Jupiter Hammerheads on Saturday night. Brian Dinkelman and Jeff Christy each had three hits as the Miracle hit safely a total of 39 times in the previous three wins.

Glen Perkins, on a rehab start from Minnesota, was roughed up in his one inning of work. Perkins surrendered a two-run shot to fellow big-leaguer Cody Ross, on rehab from the Marlins, and a RBI groundout to Andrew Jenkins in the Jupiter first. Perkins’ one-inning resulted in three runs and three hits.

Just like Friday, the Miracle were able to bounce back with runs in their half of the first. Erik Lis delivered a bases-loaded single to right that scored Dinkelman and Steve Tolleson to bring the Miracle within one. Danny Valencia followed with a sacrifice fly to score Juan Portes from third, knotting things up at three. Portes, 0-for-2 with three walks, saw his season-high 14 game hit-streak come to an end.

Dinkelman’s lead-off double in the second not only pushed his hitting streak to seven, but would eventually result in the go-ahead run. After Portes drew his second walk on the night, a pick off attempt by starter Aaron Thompson ended up down the right-field line as first baseman Gaby Sanchez was blinded by the setting sun.

An RBI single off the bat of Jeff Christy in the third gave the Miracle a 5-3 lead before the Hammerheads tied it up again with two in the fourth. Jenkins and J.T. Restko started the inning with back-to-back, one-out singles before Jonathan Fulton’s RBI double and Trent D’Antonio’s RBI single.

A wild, four-run fifth inning ended up giving the Miracle the lead for good. With the bases loaded and one out, Dinkelman laced a single to left scoring Luis Ugueto and Johnny Woodard. On the same play, the throw to the plate by Jenkins in left was behind Woodard, and resulted in a throw down to third by D’Antonio. The throw however ended up down the left-field line allowing Christy and Dinkelman to come around for the 9-5 lead.

A sacrifice fly from Johnny Woodard gave the Miracle a five-run lead in the sixth, before both teams traded runs in the seventh to make it 11-6. Dinkelman would score on a groundout by Lis, while D’Antonio would score off of a Kris Harvey fielder’s choice. Jupiter would again threaten with two in the eighth, on top of the bases loaded and nobody out.

After a wild pitch from Miracle reliever Adam Hawes moved all three runners up 90 feet, resulting in Restko scoring, a walk to former Miracle J.R. Taylor would re-load the bases, still with no one out. Armando Gabino would then enter getting a pop out by Chris Coghlan for the first out. After a groundout by Harvey plated Fulton, Gabino would then strikeout Ross to end the inning.

The Miracle now embark on another six-game road trip beginning Sunday night in Vero Beach. The first of four with the Devil Rays will begin at 5 p.m. as the Miracle send RHP Jay Rainville (4-9, 3.80) to the mound.