Lakeland snares division title

Tigers drop Miracle in 11 innings to take crown

By SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS

LAKELAND — It was the type of game you would want when a team is trying to clinch a division title: Great pitching, solid defense and timely hitting.

Unfortunately for the Fort Myers Miracle, they were on the losing end as they watched the Lakeland Tigers celebrate their Florida State League Western Division title on the field with a 2-1 victory in 11 innings at Joker Marchant Stadium on Monday afternoon.

The Miracle survived two close calls in the ninth and 10th innings, but the Tigers finally brought home the winning run in the 11th.

Juan Francia led off by slapping a grounder to short, and the speedy second baseman flew down the line and beat the play at first. An errant pickoff throw to first by Jannio Gutierrez allowed Francia to move to second. After intentionally walking Vincent Blue, Gutierrez fanned Brent Clevlen, but Francia and Blue pulled off a double steal on strike three. The Miracle intentionally walked Kelly Hunt, then drew the defense in for Derek Nicholson, who hit a fly ball single to center to score Francia and clinch the division crown.

The two starters, Fort Myers' Scott Tyler and Lakeland's Nathan Bumstead, were nearly flawless. Tyler went seven innings, allowing one run on two hits while walking three and striking out eight. Bumstead went eight innings, allowing a run on six hits while walking two and striking out one.

The Miracle got on the board first when they loaded the bases with nobody out in the fifth. Matt Tolbert's grounder to first forced out Brock Peterson at the plate, but Trent Oeltjen followed with a sacrifice fly to center to score Omar Burgos. Ron Perodin was thrown out trying to move to third.

The Tigers tied the game in the sixth when Danilo Sandhez hit a liner to right that Burgos misplayed into a double. After a sacrifice bunt by Scott Tousa moved Sandhez to third and a walk to Francia, Blue's sacrifice fly to center scored Sandhez.

Fort Myers reliever Julio DePaula went three innings, allowing just one hit while walking one and striking out one.

The Miracle now head home to take on the Clearwater Threshers for a four-game series. They begin today with a 5:05 p.m. doubleheader.

Right-hander Adam Harben (5-4, 3.17 ERA) will start the first game for Fort Myers. The Miracle have not announced a second-game starter.

Both games at the Lee County Sports Complex are scheduled for seven innings.