Miracle shut out Yanks at Hammond Stadium

By Special the Fort Myers News Press

Kevin Slowey allowed no runs on four hits in eight innings of work as the host Fort Myers Miracle defeated the Tampa Yankees 3-0 on Tuesday night.

Slowey also struck out five in the Florida State League game. He allowed just one runner to reach second base, on P.J. Pilittere's double with two out in the second.

The only other hits Slowey allowed were a one-out single to Luis Nunez in the third, a leadoff single to Pilittere in the fifth and a leadoff single to Hector Made in the eighth.

He threw 97 pitches — 72 of them for strikes — and never got into serious trouble. For the ninth time in 12 starts, he didn't walk a batter and now has just five walks to go with his 87 strikeouts this season.

The offense gave him all the support he needed in the first, a rarity for Slowey this season. With one out, Garrett Guzman walked. He moved to second on a ground out by Matt Tolbert and scored on a single by Brock Peterson.

The Miracle, who improved to 33-25, tacked on two more runs in the third when Alexi Casilla reached on an infield single and went to second on a throwing error by shortstop Ramiro Pena.

Casilla moved to third on a ground out by Guzman and scored on Tolbert's single to center. Tolbert advanced to third on Peterson's single and then scored on a wild pitch. Tolbert and Peterson each finished the night 2-4.

Yankees starter Alan Horne went seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits while walking three and striking out six, but was outdueled by Slowey.

The Miracle and Yankees will meet in the finale of the three-game series at 7:05 tonight. The Miracle will start right-hander Danny Powers (2-0, 1.33 ERA) against lefty Phil Coke (1-5, 4.12 ERA).