Miracle Pitching Staff Roughed Up in 8-3 Loss

By Sean Aronson
Fort Myers Miracle

FORT MYERS, FL – The Fort Myers Miracle pitching staff gave up a season high 17 hits and were roughed up in an 8-3 loss to the Lakeland Tigers on Thursday night at Hammond Stadium.

The Tigers jumped out in front in the first inning when Clete Thomas singled and Jeff Frazier doubled him home for a 1-0 lead.

The Miracle, who fell to 16-11, tied it up in the second when Kyle Geiger doubled to right. Jose Leger walked and with one out the two runners moved up on a wild pitch. Johnny Woodard hit a sacrifice fly that brought home Geiger.

Miracle starter Anthony Swarzak gave up two solo homer in the fifth inning, to Thomas and Jeff Larish to make it 3-1. Swarzak went 5.0 innings allowing three runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out eight.

The Miracle tried to get back into it in the sixth. Luke Hughes reached on a two base error by third baseman Nick McIntyre. Two outs later Geiger singled him home to make it 3-2.

The Miracle had a great chance to tie it in the seventh. Leger led off with a infield single. Deacon Burns then ripped a shot down the first base line, but Larish made a diving catch and doubled up Leger at first. Woodard then followed with a double, but Justin Arneson flew out to right.

The Tigers got all the breathing room they needed in the eighth inning by scoring four runs. They pounded out six consecutive base hits off of Miracle reliever Tim Lahey. Thomas had an RBI double, Frazier an RBI single and Larish completed the inning with a two run double. Lahey gave up four runs in one inning of work.

The same two teams meet Friday morning at 10:35 a.m. for the finale of the three game series. The Miracle send RHP Kevin Slowey (1-0, 1.53) to the hill against Tiger RHP Kevin Ardoin (2-2, 3.86). Friday is Education Day at Hammond Stadium.