Miracle run victory string to seven in row

By SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS

CLEARWATER — Controversy could have cost the Fort Myers Miracle a victory Saturday night at Bright House Networks Field, but they proved resilient in defeating the Clearwater Threshers 3-1 in 11 innings to complete a three- game sweep.

The Miracle, who won their season-high seventh consecutive Florida State League game, are a season-high 13 contests over .500 on the year and 3-0 in the second half.

Fort Myers led 1-0 going into the ninth inning, but Chris Schutt gave up a lead-off single to Bryan Hansen, who advanced to second on a fielding error by center fielder Ron Perodin.

Greg Isaacson sacrificed Hansen to third. After an intentional walk to Marc Tugwell put runners at the corners, the controversy ensued. Brad Correll hit a grounder to Miracle second baseman Jose Leger, who flipped the ball to JR Taylor covering second to erase Tugwell.

Tugwell raised his arms while sliding into second and Taylor's relay throw to first hit Tugwell in the hands, making it look like Tugwell interfered with the throw. The umpire didn't see it that way, which allowed the tying run to cross the plate. Schutt did manage to get the third out and send the game to extra innings.

In the 11th, Perodin and Taylor led off with walks. After Matt Moses and Scott Whitrock struck out, Trent Oeltjen grounded a base hit into right field that scored 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 the game. He went three innings, allowing one unearned run on one hit, with one walk and one strikeout.

The Miracle got a solid start from Scott Tyler, who hurled six shutout innings, allowing three hits while striking out nine. Jannio Gutierrez came out of the bullpen to toss two shutout innings.