Cards blank Miracle

By SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS

JUPITER — The Fort Myers Miracle were the recipients of a shutout Saturday night at Roger Dean Stadium, losing to the Palm Beach Cardinals 4-0.

The first inning was the difference in the ballgame. The Miracle loaded the bases against Cardinals starter Chris Lambert. With one out, JR Taylor singled to right, extending his hitting streak to 10 games. Matt Moses then singled to center and Kyle Phillips followed with a walk to load the bases. Brock Peterson struck out and Trent Oeltjen flew out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the first, the Cardinals loaded the bases with nobody out against Miracle starter Adam Harben, on two walks and a bunt single. Harben struck out Terry Evans, but then gave up a bases-clearing double to Ty Parker. One batter later, John Santor knocked in the fourth run of the game. Harben went five innings, allowing four runs on four hits while walking four and striking out three.

Cardinals starter Chris Lambert was spectacular, going 6 2/3 innings, allowing five hits while walking two and striking out five, and improved his record to 5-0. Only one Miracle player reached as far as second base after the first inning. That was Omar Burgos, who had an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error.

Former Miracle pitcher Jeff Randazzo came into the game with two outs in the seventh and struck out Denard Span with a runner on first.

The newest Miracle player, Tim Henkenjohann, tossed two shutout innings out of the bullpen, allowing two hits, walking one and striking out two.

The teams will meet again at 2:05 p.m. today. The Miracle will start right-hander Nick Blackburn (3-1, 2.90 ERA) against righty Mark Michael (1-2, 3.71 ERA). Fort Myers will play host to the St. Lucie Mets at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday.