Harben loses no-no in 8th; Miracle edge Manatees, 1-0

By Daily News staff

Adam Harben nearly turned his manager into a prophet Sunday, as the Fort Myers Miracle pitcher had a no-hitter broken up in the eighth inning of a 1-0 victory over the Brevard County Manatees at Hammond Stadium.

Prior to the game, Miracle skipper Riccardo Ingram made a comment in his office that Harben would toss a no-no. The only no-hitter thrown in Miracle history was by Brad Thomas, who did it against the Charlotte Rangers on July 12, 1999.

Harben used his 90-plus mph fastball and sharp, breaking curve to keep the Manatees off balance.

Harben began the eighth by getting Wandel Campana to strike out on a curveball in the dirt. The ball, however, went through the legs of catcher Kyle Phillips, allowing Campana to reach on the dropped third strike. The next hitter, Ozzie Chavez, sacrificed Campana to second.

Then, Travis Ezi, who spent the last three weeks at Double-A, looped a 1-0 pitch into left field for the first hit of the game for the Manatees.

With runners at the corners and one out, Harben got Steve Sollman on strikes, then was relieved by Jay Sawatski.

Sawatski walked the first man he faced to load the bases but got Jeff Eure to ground out to end the inning.

Harben walked two and struck out 12, a season high for Miracle pitchers. He threw 105 pitches, 73 for strikes.

The Fort Myers offense struggled almost as much as Brevard County's, getting only three hits.

The Miracle scored the game's lone run in the sixth inning. Trent Oeltjen scored when Kyle Phillips hit into a double play.

The Miracle will go for a four-game sweep of the Manatees today at 1:05 p.m.