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Late rally dooms Miracle again

By Staff | Jun 19, 2010

CHARLOTTE – Miracle first-baseman Nate Hanson hit a titanic solo home run in the top of the 12th inning to break a 1-1 game against Charlotte in extra-innings, but the Stone Crabs scored twice in the bottom of the inning against Steve Blevins for a 3-2 walk-off victory.

Josh Satow (4-1), who gave up the home run to Hanson, also loaded the bases in the inning but got out of the jam as he picked up the win.

Blevins (1-3) gave up a lead-off double to Tim Beckham in the inning – who later scored on a throwing error by Miracle cater Allan De San Miguel on a bunt attempt to tie the game at two. Charlotte then loaded the bases with no one out, and Mike Sheridan picked up the big hit to give the Stone Crabs the victory.

After both teams went scoreless through the first six innings, Fort Myers jumped on the board first in the top of the seventh. Charlotte starting pitcher Joe Cruz had sent down eight in a row until Brian Dozier opened the inning with his third single of the game. After Chris Herrmann grounded out, which advanced Dozier into scoring position, Evan Bigley blasted a ball over left-fielder Anthony Scelfo’s head to open the scoring in the game.

The RBI finally ended a streak of 21 scoreless innings or the Miracle, dating back to second game against Palm Beach on Tuesday night.

The 1-0 Miracle lead didn’t last long as Steven Vogt launched a solo home run off of Blake Martin to tie the game right back up.

Making his 2010 Florida State League debut, Miracle starting pitcher Santos Arias was brilliant against the Stone Crabs in a no decision. Arias, who was sent down from Double-A New Britain earlier in the week, faced the minimum 15 batters in five shutout innings. He needed just 49 pitches in a dominant performance over the ‘Crabs – allowing just one hit, a lead off single by Henry Wrigley in the second. Wrigley never reached the bases though, as he was thrown out a second base by left-fielder Chris Herrmann as he tried to turn his hit into a double.

Even though he sent down the last 11 batters he faced, Arias was on a short pitch count after not starting a game since May 27 in Double-A.

Charlotte starter Joe Cruz went eight innings allowing just one run on five hits, striking out a season-high 11.

Martin tossed three innings and allowed just the one hit to Vogt. Billy Bullock pitched three scoreless innings in relief before handing the game off to Blevins in the 12th.

Fort Myers will try and avoid the sweep on Saturday night against Charlotte at 7:05 p.m.