Miracle blank Manatees 3-0
Stephen Gonsalves dealt six scoreless innings to help guide the Fort Myers Miracle to a 3-0 victory over the Brevard County Manatees on Wednesday at Hammond Stadium.
Gonsalves (1-1) surrendered just two hits with three walks and four strikeouts to earn his first win of the season. Completing the first leg of the shutout, the Miracle bullpen provided a scoreless last three innings. Luke Westphal struck out the side in the seventh and Trevor Hildenberger earned a two-inning save, his second of the season.
In the second, the Miracle plated a run with two outs off Manatees starter Angel Ventura. Trey Vavra extended his hitting streak to six games with a leadoff double to left and advanced to third on a groundout by Logan Wade.
Ventura (0-1) rallied to strike out Alex Real, but issued a free pass to Ryan Walker. Chad Christensen then pulled a first pitch into the left side hole. Shortstop Angel Ortega made a backhand stop, but could not make a throw and Vavra scored the first run.
The Miracle added insurance runs in the fifth. Manatees reliever Junior Rincon fanned Edgar Corcino to begin the frame, but Tanner English reached on a bunt single. With Alex Swim at the plate, English swiped second base. Swim then grounded out to second to move English to third.
With two outs, Nick Gordon pulled a single through the right side and English trotted home. Vavra stepped to the plate and Gordon stole second. Vavra coaxed a walk. Then, Wade hit a weak ground ball to second. George Iskenderian misplayed the ball and Gordon raced around to score on the error making it 3-0 Miracle.
Gordon finished the evening 3-for-4 with his first RBI of the season and run scored.
The Miracle (4-3) finish the four-game series with the Manatees (2-5) Thursday night at Hammond Stadium.