Miracle squander opportunity

By SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS

The big bats in the middle of the lineup couldn't get it done in the clutch Friday night as the Fort Myers Miracle left the bases loaded and lost 7-5 to the Jupiter Hammerheads at the Lee County Sports Complex.

The Miracle loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning off Jupiter closer Carlos Martinez. With one out Matt Tolbert doubled. Denard Span and J.R. Taylor followed with walks to set the stage for Matt Moses. Moses had the count 3-0 in his favor, but struck out. Brock Peterson then struck out to end the game.

Fort Myers squandered a 5-2 lead in the sixth inning. Miracle starter Nick Blackburn gave up a solo homer by Angel Molina. He then loaded the bases with two outs. Tristan Crawford was called upon to face Alejandro De Aza, who ripped a bases-clearing double into left-center that gave the Hammerheads a 6-5 lead.

De Aza was 3-for-4 with four RBI and finished a triple shy of the cycle. Blackburn was charged with six runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Ben Pattee's RBI triple and Scott Whitrock's single game Fort Myers a 2-1 lead in the second.

In the fourth, with the Miracle clinging to a 3-2 lead, Whitrock launched a two-run homer to left, his fifth of the season.

Whitrock finished 2-for-4 with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored. Pattee was 2-for-4 with a triple, RBI and two runs scored.