Tigers shut down Miracle for 9-0 win

Fort Myers doesn't get hit until sixth inning

By SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS

It's extremely rare to see a complete-game shutout in the Florida State League, but it happened against the Fort Myers Miracle on Monday night at the Lee County Sports Complex.

The loss dropped Fort Myers 1 1/2 games behind Lakeland in the FSL West.

The Miracle didn't get their first hit until two were out in the sixth inning. Ron Perodin lined a single into left-center.

Fort Myers managed just three hits against Tata and had just one man reach as far as second base. That came in the ninth when, with two outs, J.R. Taylor singled and Matt Moses was hit by a pitch.

Tata struck out seven.

Miracle starter Adam Harben matched Tata through the first four innings, but in the fifth the Tigers got all the runs they needed. Four singles and a walk plated the three runs.

Lakeland scored four more runs in the sixth and two in the seventh.

Harben went five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out three.

Fort Myers will open a home series at 7 tonight against the Tampa Yankees. Right-hander Nick Blackburn (3-1, 2.16 ERA) will get the start for the Miracle.