Crabs get even, dump Miracle 2-1
PORT CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Stone Crabs held off the Fort Myers Miracle 2-1 Friday night to even a four-game series.
The Stone Crabs snapped a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth inning. After Miracle starter Ethan Mildren retired the first two hitters on just four pitches, Willy Adames coaxed a walk. Then Mildren (0-3) fell behind Jake Bauers 3-0. On the next pitch, Bauers sent a high drive over the fence in right to put the Crabs up 2-0.
In the top of the seventh, the Miracle sliced a run off the lead. Alex Swim led off with a double down the left field line and moved to third on a groundout to short by Chad Christensen. Jason Kanzler lined a 1-0 pitch from Stone Crabs reliever Steve Ascher into center. Braxton Lee lost the ball in the twilight sky and Swim raced home on the RBI single.
Jake McGee started for the Stone Crabs on an MLB rehab assignment and issued a pair of walks with a strikeout in a scoreless first. Buddy Borden, the previously scheduled starter, entered in the second. Borden (3-1) picked up the win going four innings without giving up a run and surrendering just two hits.
Ascher tossed three scoreless innings out of the pen and Brad Schreiber stranded the tying run at second base for his fifth save in the ninth.
Brandon Peterson struck out four in two innings of relief for the Miracle and Brian Gilbert posted a scoreless eighth.
Swim finished 2-for-3 with a double and run scored. The Miracle have scored just one run in three games at Charlotte Sports Park this season over 27 innings.
The Miracle (8-14) return to Charlotte Saturday night with Ryan Eades (1-0) set to take the hill for the Miracle against Charlotte righty Ryne Stanek (0-2).