Late run KOs Miracle 3-2
The Clearwater Threshers knocked off the Fort Myers Miracle 3-2 Monday night with a run in the top of the ninth inning at Hammond Stadium.
Venturing into the ninth for the second time this season in a 2-2 tie game, Miracle starter Aaron Slegers had retired 10 in a row before Andrew Pullin reached second on a one out error by Tanner Vavra. On a 3-2 pitch, Pullin chopped a ball past the mound. Vavra charged, but his high throw glanced off Michael Quesada’s glove at first base and rolled down the right field line.
Slegers (6-5) then walked Aaron Brown and Miracle manager Jeff Smith brought in Corey Williams to face Chace Numata. Williams got Numata to roll into a force play at second for the second out. With runners on the corners, Smith dipped into the bullpen for a second time for Dallas Gallant. On Gallant’s first pitch, Astudillo poked a slider into right for an RBI single and a 3-2 Clearwater lead.
Ulises Joaquin came out of the Threshers pen to close out the game. Joaquin allowed a two out single to Ryan Walker, but got Jason Kanzler to fly out to right field to nail down his 11th save and second of the series.
The Threshers scored a pair of runs off Slegers in the second. Brown doubled to start the inning and moved to third on a base hit from Numata through the left side. Astudillo then flared an 0-1 pitch into right and plated Brown. With runners on the corners, Chase Harris hit into a double play for the first two outs of the frame while Numata crossed home, 2-0.
Kanzler cut into the Clearwater advantage in the bottom of the second. Mitch Garver led off with a single up the middle, but was put out at second base on force out hit into by Ryan Walker. Kanzler then scorched a 1-1 pitch into right center field to bring in Walker from first. The triple is Kanzler’s first of the season.
In the seventh, the Miracle finally got a second run off Clearwater starter Ricardo Pinto to tie the game 2-2. With one out, Garver stung a single to right-center. Walker followed with a liner into center. After Kanzler struck out, Pinto walked Quesada to load the bases. The Threshers went to the bullpen and brought in Yacksell Rios. On his first pitch, Rios’ delivery glanced off of Numata’s glove and Garver raced home.
Rios (5-2) remained in the game to throw a scoreless eighth and eventually earn the win.
Slegers threw 8 1/3 innings and gave up three runs, two earned, on four hits with one walk and one strikeout. Pinto received a no decision in 6 2/3 innings with two runs, one earned, on six hits with two walks and four punchouts.
The Miracle (50-39, 12-7) are off Tuesday, but return to action on the road Wednesday night at Brevard County.