Miracle split doubleheader with Sarasota

By Special to Fort Myers News-Press

The Fort Myers Miracle and Sarasota Reds each picked up 3-1 wins on Wednesday, splitting a Florida State League doubleheader at Hammond Stadium.

Reds starter Johnny Cueto threw a complete-game four-hitter in the opener, while Anthony Swarzak returned from a 50-game suspension to pitch the Miracle to a victory in the nightcap.

SARASOTA 3, MIRACLE 1

Cueto pitched his first complete game of the season as Sarasota took the opener.

After a leadoff single from Mike Griffin followed by a walk to Mike DeJesus, Jay Bruce slugged his first of three doubles for the night, scoring Griffin and DeJesus for a 2-0 Sarasota lead.

The Miracle cut that lead in half as Steve Tolleson led off the bottom of the first with a single to center, later scoring as Erik Lis' reached base on an error by Griffin at third.

The Reds picked up their final run on DeJesus' RBI single in the fourth that scored B.J. Szymanski from third.

MIRACLE 3, SARASOTA 1

Anthony Swarzak, who pitched for the Fort Myers Miracle last season, was activated following a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance and started Wednesday's second game.

Swarzak tested positive earlier this season while playing for Double-A New Britain Rock Cats.

Swarzak went 5.2 innings, allowing the one Sarasota run on four hits, while fanning eight in his return.

NEXT GAME

Who: Fort Myers Miracle vs. Sarasota Reds
When: 7:05 p.m. today
Where: Hammond Stadium

Miracle pitcher named all-star

Miracle pitcher Oswaldo Sosa was named to the Florida State League All-Star game Wednesday. Sosa has a 2-4 record with a 2.65 ERA in 13 starts for the Miracle this season. He’s struck out 59 in 68 innings. The game is scheduled for Saturday in Daytona.