Miracle begin 2nd half with win

Florida comes back defeat Threshers 3-2

By SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS

CLEARWATER — The second half of the Florida State League season began with a thrilling come-from-behind victory for the Fort Myers Miracle as they defeated the Clearwater Threshers 3-2 Thursday night at Bright House Networks Field.

The Miracle trailed 1-0 going into the eighth inning. Fort Myers loaded the bases. With one out, Trent Oeltjen reached on first baseman Bryan Hansen's fielding error. Scott Whitrock followed with a double that moved Oeltjen to third and Kyle Phillips was intentionally walked.

Matt Moses then pinch hit and after fouling off five straight 3-2 pitches, took a pitch out of the zone to walk and force in a run.

Brock Peterson then fouled out to shallow right and Whitrock was thrown out trying to tag up and score.

The Threshers regained the lead in the bottom of the eighth when Jake Blalock hit a two-out single to right off Jay Sawatski that scored B.J. Littleton.

The Miracle, however, answered right back in the ninth.

Matt Tolbert reached on an error by second baseman Tim Moss with one out. On a 3-2 pitch to Ron Perodin, Tolbert took off for second. Perodin swung and missed, but Tolbert was safe at second.

With the Miracle down to their final out, J.R. Taylor tripled to right-center to drive home Whitrock. Oeltjen followed with a double off the wall in right to score Taylor.

Sawatski allowed two Clearwater runners in the ninth, but held on for the win.