Miracle turn tables with 2-0 shutout over Threshers

By Special to the Naples Daily News

CLEARWATER — Fort Myers Miracle starter Jay Rainville and closer Eddie Morlan combined on a four-hit shutout as the Miracle were able to salvage the finale of the three-game series, 2-0, over the Clearwater Threshers on Tuesday night.

Rainville went seven innings, allowing four hits while striking out seven. Morlan pitched a perfect eighth and ninth with a pair of strikeouts for his ninth save of the year.

Luis Ugueto lined a triple just inside the first base bag leading off the Miracle fourth. Ugueto would score two hitters later on Edward Ovalle’s RBI-single to left that gave the Miracle an early 1-0 lead.

With one-out and the bases loaded in the seventh, Eli Tintor would score on a wild pitch from Thresher reliever Cory Wylie giving the Miracle their two-run lead. Tintor just snuck by the tag of catcher Lou Marson as he lunged up the third baseline trying to tag out Tintor.

Best scoring chance for Clearwater came in the fourth as Jeremy Slayden roped a double to right followed by a Marson walk. Rainville would get Nic Jackson to pop up to Juan Portes at third before fanning both John Urick and Welinson Baez to end the inning.

Rainville and Morlan combined to retire 18 of the final 19 Thresher hitters on the night. Despite hitting into five double plays, the Miracle picked up their first win of the season, in six attempts, at Bright House Networks Field.

The Miracle head home for a two-night doubleheader with the Sarasota Reds beginning at 5:05 p.m on Wednesday night. Game one will see the Miracle send RHP Yohan Pino (1-2, 1.91) battle against the Reds’ RHP Johnny Cueto (3-5, 3.34). Wednesday is Fox-4 Kids Club night along with the all-you-cat-eat “Binge on the Berm.” The price of $12 includes admission to both games along with a AUCE buffet from 6-7:30 p.m.