Miracle back in 1st place
Ben Revere sprinted around the bases in the seventh inning as a stolen base attempt at second base turned into the winning run in a 4-3 victory for the Fort Myers Miracle over the St. Lucie Mets Friday night at Hammond Stadium.
Coupled with Charlotte’s 5-0 loss to Palm Beach, the Miracle are back in sole possession of first place in the Florida State League’s South Division.
Revere took off for second in the seventh against catcher Ralph Henriquez, who was 0-for-6 against would-be basestealers in the game. The catcher’s throw sailed into center field, and Revere sprung to his feet and sprinted for third. Centerfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis’ throw then went wide of the third base bag, and Revere got back up one last time and dashed home with what proved to be the winning run for the Miracle (18-10). Two errors were scored on the play.
Tyler Robertson got his season back on track with a six-inning, five-hit performance, allowing three runs (two earned), two walks, and four strikeouts. Santos Arias (2-0) recorded the victory in 1 1/3 innings of relief, with one hit, two walks, and two strikeouts. Blair Erickson nailed down his second save in two appearances with another strong outing.
Erickson induced a double play and stranded two inherited runners in the eighth before striking out the side in the ninth to seal the victory.
Revere was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base.
Joe Benson stole two bases, and Mark Dolenc was 3-for-4 with three steals.
Scott Shaw started for the Mets (15-13) and went six innings, allowing eight hits, three earned runs, walked two and struck out three.
Nick Carr (1-1) took the loss in two innings of relief. Carr, who hit 99 mph on the Hammond Stadium radar gun on multiple pitches, was charged with the unearned run by Revere in the seventh.
Angel Calero (1-1, 2.00) squares off against the Miracle’s Mike McCardell (3-2, 4.67) in the series finale at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Hammond Stadium.