Miracle capture walk-off win over Flying Tigers
Zack Granite drove in the game-winning run in a 4-3 walk-off win for the Fort Myers Miracle over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Tuesday night at Hammond Stadium.
Tied 3-3 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Miracle got a one-out double from Michael Quesada into the left field corner off Lakeland reliever Whit Mayberry. Miracle manager Jeff Smith brought in Tanner Vavra to run for Quesada at second base. T.J. White then lined out to center field. Vavra was caught off the bag at second, but Jiwan James’ throw to second base was mishandled by Javier Betancourt and Vavra made it back safely.
Granite then stepped up and hit a 1-1 pitch from Mayberry (1-2) up the middle. Betancourt ranged to his right to stab the grounder, but Granite beat out the throw to first. Vavra never stopped around third base and chugged towards home. First baseman Francisco Martinez fired home, but Vavra beat catcher Grayson Greiner’s tag and the Miracle celebrated a 4-3 walk-off win in a back-and-forth battle.
The Miracle took the early lead in the second inning off Flying Tigers starter Brennan Smith. With one out, Jason Kanzler smashed a triple off the base of the wall in right center field. Smith then threw a wild pitch with Quesada at the plate and Kanzler scored standing, 1-0.
After four scoreless innings from Miracle starter Ryan Eades, the Flying Tigers jumped in front in the fifth. Eades walked Greiner to start the inning, but then retired Jared Reaves on a fly out to left. Tyler Hanover worked a walk to put runners at first and second. James then roped a first pitch into the right center field gap to plate Greiner and Hanover, 2-1.
In the sixth, the Miracle answered back to regain the advantage. Ryan Walker led off with a single down the first base line off Smith. Then, on the first pitch, Mitch Garver hit a high drive to deep left field, clearing the wall for his second home run of the season. The two-run shot traveled 396-feet and pushed the Miracle in front, 3-2.
The Flying Tigers retaliated in the seventh without a hit. With one out, Miracle reliever Dallas Gallant walked Reaves and Hanover. After striking out James, Gallant threw a pair of wild pitches with Raph Rhymes at the plate. The second wild pitch brought in Reaves from third and tied up the game, 3-3.
Nick Burdi came on out of the Miracle pen and recorded a scoreless eighth and ninth. Burdi (2-1) struck out two and surrendered two hits while setting the stage for Granite’s ninth inning heroics.
Fort Myers now has 11 walk-off wins this season.
The Miracle (57-46, 19-14) complete a four-game series with the Flying Tigers (40-59, 7-23) at Hammond Stadium today at 7:05 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. for Ladies Night. All ladies ages 12 and older receive free admission. Ladies ages 21 and up get a pair of drink coupons for domestic drafts, single wells or wine. All fans can enjoy a mid-week Happy Hour from 6-7 p.m. with $2 domestic draft beers. For tickets and information, call the Miracle offices at (239) 768-4210 or visit www.miraclebaseball.com.