Miracle limit Threshers to four hits in 2-0 victory

By Special to the Fort Myers News-Press

CLEARWATER — Fort Myers 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 with a 2-0 win over the Clearwater Threshers on Tuesday.

Rainville went seven innings in the Florida State League game, allowing four hits and 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 to lead off the Miracle fourth. Ugueto scored two hitters later on Edward Ovalle’s single to left that gave the Miracle a 1-0 lead.

With one out and the bases loaded in the seventh, Eli Tintor scored on a wild pitch by Threshers reliever Cory Wylie. Tintor snuck just past the tag of catcher Lou Marson.

Clearwater’s best scoring chance came in the fourth as Jeremy Slayden doubled and Marson walked. Rainville got Nic Jackson to pop out, then fanned John Urick and Welinson Baez.

Rainville and Morlan combined to retire 18 of the final 19 Thresher hitters.

NEXT GAME

Who: Fort Myers Miracle vs. Sarasota Reds
When: 5:05 p.m. today
Where: Hammond Stadium