Conditions again bench Fort Myers

By SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS

SARASOTA - The Fort Myers Miracle know how to spell R-A-I-N-O-U-T as they were washed out Thursday for the second straight day at Ed Smith Stadium against the Sarasota Reds.

The two teams will now play two doubleheaders over the next two days.

The Miracle and Reds will play the first of the two doubleheaders tonight beginning at 5 p.m. at Hammond Stadium. Both games are scheduled for seven innings.

The Miracle send right-hander Nick Blackburn (5-2, 3.20) to the hill in game one and lefty Glen Perkins (1-2, 1.96) to the hill in game two. Game two can be heard live on Sports Radio 770 ESPN.

Miracle All Stars Named

The Fort Myers Miracle will send three players to the All-Star Game, as infielder Matt Moses, outfielder Denard Span and starting pitcher Nick Blackburn were voted to the Florida State League All-Star Team.

The 20-year-old Moses, a first round pick by the Twins in 2003, is fifth in the league in average (.333) with six home runs and a team-high 31 RBI.

The 21-year-old Span, a first-round pick by the Twins in 2002, is hitting .353 with 14 RBI with a .428 OBP.

The 23-year-old Blackburn may not be a high draft pick, 29th round in 2001, but he has been one of the most consistent starting pitchers on the Miracle staff this season. He is 5-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 56 1/3 innings pitched.

"These three guys are more than deserving to be selected to the All-Star Game," said manager Riccardo Ingram.

The 2005 All-Star Game will be held at Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater on June 18. The game will pit the FSL West vs. FSL East.