Pitching and Power Key Ingredients as Miracle Blank Reds 8-0

By Sean Aronson
Fort Myers Miracle

SARASOTA, FL – The Fort Myers Miracle used a heavy dose of solid pitching and unexpected power as they blanked the Sarasota Reds 8-0 on Sunday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium.

Over the last week the starting pitching had been a little shaky for the Miracle, but Justin Jones, making his first start for the Miracle this season was superb in going 7.0 shutout innings allowing just five hits while walking two and striking out two. He used an array of fastballs, breaking pitches and off speed stuff to keep the Reds hitters off balance all afternoon. He only allowed one runner as far as third and never got into any serious trouble.

The Miracle got him all the run support he needed in the second. Brock Peterson ripped a solo homer down the left field line, his fifth of the season to make it 1-0.

In the fifth Peterson led off with a walk and Jeremy Pickrel followed with a two run opposite field homer over the left-center field wall, his third of the season to make it 3-0.

Peterson struck again in the sixth. With one out Kyle Geiger led off with a single to left. Kevin West’s grounder to third was thrown away by Trevor Lawhorn who was trying to get Geiger at second. Peterson then lined a single to center which scored Geiger to make it 4-0. Peterson went 2-4, with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored.

The Miracle added four insurance runs in the ninth. Pickrel led off with a walk and Luke Hughes followed by reaching on Lawhorn’s fielding error. With one out Korey Feiner reached on a fielders choice and with two outs Alexi Casilla hit a grounder to first that was misplayed by Jeremiah Piepkorn which allowed Pickrel to score. Matt Tolbert followed with a three run homer to right-center, his third of the season. The three homers by the Miracle were the most they’ve hit in a game this season.

Danny Powers pitched two perfect innings striking out two to finish up the game.

The Miracle take Monday off and return home on Tuesday night to take on the Sarasota Reds at 7:05 p.m. The Miracle send RHP Colby Miller (0-1, 4.22) to the hill against Reds RHP Homer Bailey (2-4, 3.48). It is Naples Daily News “Two for One Tuesday” presented by WCKT 100. It is also Biggest Loser Night at the ballpark.