Tampa Tarpons starter Jonathan Loaisiga tossed five scoreless innings en-route to a 4-0 victory. (Photo by David Conde/LOD)
The Miracle opened up a three game series in Fort Myers with a tough 4-0 loss against the visiting Tampa Tarpons, and Legends on Deck was on hand to capture all the action.
After taking three of four games from the Fire Frogs and outscoring them 23-3, the bats went silent against a Tampa team that entered Fort Myers after having been swept in three games at the hands of the St. Lucie Mets.
On a great night for baseball, where temperatures hit 86 degrees, the 3,648 fans in attendance, were treated early to a pitchers duel as both starters held the opposing offense scoreless through four innings.
After a lead off double from Tarpons Hoy Jun Park, Miracle left-handed starter Charlie Barnes retired the next three batters to end the inning.
Tarpons right-handed starter Jonathan Loaisiga didn’t allow a Miracle batter to reach base until the bottom of the third when Taylor Grzelakowski opened with a line drive single to center. But Nelson Molina grounded into a double play and Alex Perez was called out on strikes.
It was a tough night at the plate for Nelson Molina and is Miracle teammates. (Photo by David Conde/LOD)
In the top of the fifth, the Tarpons broke the tie, when Francisco Diaz scored ahead of a single off the bat of Angel Aguilar.
The Tarpons added a run in the sixth and two in the seventh to extend their lead to 4-0.
As for the Miracle, they were only able to manage two singles through the first five innings, while only getting one runner into scoring position; a double from Mitchell Kranson in the fourth, but he was stranded. For the game they ended with four hits off three Tarpons pitchers.
With the loss the Miracle drop to 5-4, while the Tarpons improve to 4-5 with the victory.
On Saturday the Miracle will look to get back in the win column when they send Brady Anderson (0-1, 3.60 ERA) to the mound against Mitchell King (0-0, 1.42 ERA).
TOP GAME HITTERS
Tarpons
Hoy Jun Park – 2 for 4, Double, R, BB
Isiah Gilliam – 3 for 4, R, RBI
Timmy Robinson – 2 for 3, BB
Francisco Diaz – 2 for 3, RBI, BB
Jonathan Loaisiga – (W, 2-0), 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
David Sosebee – 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Miracle
Mitchell Kranson – 1 for 4, Double
Charlie Barnes – 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Andrew Vasquez – 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
SATURDAY MIRACLE PROMOTION
On Saturday the Fort Myers Miracle will be giving away Brian Dozier Bobbleheads, asking fans to stop by their local Goodwill stores for a special ticket offer to the game and also a Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest before the game. The winner of the contest will be entered to participate in Nathan’s Hot Dog eating finals on July 4th, in Coney Island, NY.
