Miracle clip Tigers on Hanson’s walk-off hit
With a 1-1 stalemate carrying over into extra innings, Nate Hanson punched a two-out RBI single down the right field line to score Deibinson Romero to lift the Fort Myers Miracle over the Lakeland Tigers 2-1 in the 11th inning Tuesday night at Hammond Stadium.
Evan Bigley nearly came through with the big hit one at-bat prior, lacing a single into right field, but Drew Thompson was thrown out at home plate trying to score from second.
Joe Testa (1-1) pitched three scoreless innings in relief to notch his first win with the Miracle. Lakeland reliever Rob Waite (2-2) took the loss, pitching the final two innings.
The Miracle took a 1-0 lead into the eighth inning, but Tiers first baseman Billy Nowlin drove in a run with two outs. It was the only run allowed by Miracle starter Dan Osterbrock, who pitched a season-high eight innings. He gave up eight hits, walked only one, while striking out a season-tying high of eight.
The Miracle got their first run in the third inning against Tigers starter Luke Putkonen. Angel Morales grounded into a double-play with runners at the corners and no outs. Putkonen lasted seven innings, allowing just three hits.
A combined five runs have been scored in the first three games of this series. The Miracle won 1-0 Sunday while the Tigers won 1-0 Monday.
The Miracle (12-12) face the Tigers (8-16) Wednesday in the final game of the four-game series at Hammond Stadium.


