Fort Myers Miracle Barely Beat Lakeland Flying Tigers 4-3 - Adv A, Florida State League

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - Lakeland -3  Fort Myers - 4  Box Score attached. - LAKELAND, F.L. (April 28, 2008) – A bases-clearing double by Danny Valencia sparked a four-run top of the eighth inning as the Fort Myers Miracle were able to hold on for a 4-3 victory over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Monday night. The win snaps a four-game losing streak for the Miracle putting them back into a first-place tie in the Florida State League’s west division.

As they did for much of the series, the Lakeland Flying Tigers attacked with a couple of early runs for a 2-0 lead. Scott Sizemore would come around twice in the bottom of the first as the initial run by Lakeland was taken off the board. Jeramy Laster would lift a deep fly ball to center that appeared to be a normal RBI-double scoring Sizemore from first until the controversy arrived.

ADVERTISEMENT

After Miracle manager Jeff Smith questioned both umpires about a ground-rule double off the batter’s eye in center, both men in blue conversed for about three minutes before reversing the call which sent Sizemore back to third. Sizemore would eventually score on a Brennan Boesch sacrifice-fly two pitches later for the second, one-run lead. Boesch would deliver another sac-fly in the third giving the Flying Tigers their second plate-crossing scoring Justin Justice from third. Lakeland tacked on their final run in the seventh on Sizemore’s two-out RBI-single to left.

Pinch-hitter Rudy Palacios led off the Miracle eighth with a single to right before Brian Dinkelman’s double to left and a hit-by-pitch to Rene Tosoni loaded the bases for Valencia . On a 2-0 pitch from reliever Brendon Wise, one swing of Valencia ’s bat clear the bases with a game-tying double to right-center. Johnny Woodard pushed Valencia to third with his one-out single before Edward Ovalle picked up the eventual game-deciding RBI with a sac-fly to center.

Lakeland starter Luis Marte tossed seven stellar innings, allowing four hits and striking out four in the no-decision. For the Miracle, Jose Lugo picked up the win in relief while Rob Delaney captured his sixth save of the season.

Subcribe to MLN Sports Zone (SZ) the magazine of Minor League and Alternative Professional Sports for just $5.99! That's 50% off the full subscription price! Use discount code: BMR and SAVE 66% off of the Cover Price!!!

Enclosure