Miracle lash out in 13-1 romp

Cape Coral Daily Breeze
Staff and wire reports

The Fort Myers Miracle crossed the plate 13 times Wednesday night, cruising to a 13-1 win over the Clearwater Threshers at Hammond Stadium.

Edward Ovalle led the Miracle offensively with four RBI on the night, coupled with an eight-spot in the fourth, as the Miracle picked up their first series win in a month.

After rain delayed the start of the game by nearly two hours, Ovalle cleared the bases in the first with his second triple of the season, giving the Miracle a quick 3-0 lead.

In the second, Whit Robbins delivered two more runs with his single to center, catapulting the Miracle to a five-run lead.

In the eight-run fourth, 12 Miracle hitters came to the plate, scattering six hits in the frame. Big blows in the inning came from a pair of two-run singles by Dwayne White and Javi Sanchez, along with a two-run double by Luis Ugueto.

Ovalle and Steve Tolleson each added an RBI in as Ovalle reached on an error, scoring Portes from third, while Tolleson brought home Jeff Christy with a groundout to short.

Clearwater pitching surrendered eight walks on the night, seven by starter Dan Brauer in the loss.

Miracle starter Zach Ward picked up his first win of the season tossing five innings allowing three hits with a walk and strikeout.

A three-game road trip begins for the Miracle at Legends Field where they take on the Tampa Yankees in a three-game set.

Game one of the series is set for Thursday night beginning at 7 p.m.

In Tampa, Roger Clemens threw in the outfield Wednesday at the New York Yankees’ minor league complex, one day after a 71-pitch bullpen session.

Clemens spent three hours at the complex in his third workout in Florida.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner continued his teaching sessions with young pitchers, including top prospect Phil Hughes, and spent 40 minutes with a group on a bullpen mound. He threw briefly from in front of the mound and on the pitching rubber while demonstrating his mechanics.

Clemens will work out again Thursday at the complex to prepare for his first minor league start Friday for Class-A Tampa against the Miracle.

It’s possible Clemens could join the Yankees after a scheduled start next week with Double-A Trenton.