Miracle win despite controversial no-call

By Daily News staff

The Fort Myers Miracle overcame a controversial play in the ninth inning to beat the Clearwater Threshers, 3-1, in 11 innings Saturday night at Bright House Networks Field.

Fort Myers swept all three games in their series at Clearwater.

The Miracle led 1-0 going into the bottom of the ninth inning. After Chris Schutt intentionally walked Marc Tugwell to put runners at the corners, Brad Correll hit a grounder to Miracle second baseman Jose Leger, who flipped to J.R. Taylor covering second to erase Tugwell. But Tugwell raised his arms while sliding into second and Taylor's relay throw to first hit Tugwell in the hands. The umpire did not call interference, allowing the tying run to cross the plate. Schutt managed to get the third out and send the game into extra innings.

In the 11th, Trent Oeltjen grounded a two-out base hit into right field that scored Ron Perodin to give the Miracle a 2-1 lead. Kyle Phillips followed with a bloop into left that scored Taylor.

Schutt retired the side in order to finish off the game.

The Miracle won their season-high seventh straight and are a season high 13 games over .500 on the year and 3-0 in the second half.