JUPITER – The Fort Myers Miracle started the 2011 season on the right foot Thursday night with a 3-2 win over the Jupiter Hammerheads at Roger Dean Stadium.

With the tying run at second base and no outs in the bottom of the ninth, Miracle reliever Bruce Pugh struck out the side to preserve the victory. Pugh, who spent part of the 2010 season in the Miracle rotation, picked up his first career save since 2008 when he was with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Twins.

Trailing 2-1 in the seventh, the Miracle got a pair of clutch two-out RBI hits to take the lead. Newcomer Aaron Hicks smacked a triple to the right field wall to drive in another first-time Miracle starter, Danny Rams, who scored from first. FSL All-Star Brian Dozier followed with a line-drive up the middle to give the Miracle their second lead of the night.

The Miracle broke open the scoreless game in the fifth inning. Rams drew a leadoff walk before eventually scoring Dozier’s sacrifice-fly.

The Hammerheads quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the inning against Miracle starter Kane Holbrooks. Kyle Jensen blasted a two-run home run over the left field wall to put Jupiter ahead 2-1.

That’s all the support Hammerheads’ starter Rob Rasmussen would get in his debut with the team. The lefty lasted six innings, allowing just the one run in the fifth for the no-decision.

Holbrooks lasted five innings before giving way to Blake Martin, who picked up the win. Martin (1-0) sent down all six batters he faced, including one strikeout. Jose Rosario (0-1) took the loss for Jupiter.

Rams finished 2-for-3 with a walk in his debut, while also scoring two of the three Miracle runs. Nick Romero paced the team with a 3-for-4 night.

The Miracle (1-0) return to action Friday night at Jupiter (0-1) with the first pitch at 6:35 p.m. Miguel Munoz will take the hill against highly touted Marlins’ pitching prospect Chad James.

The Miracle come home for Saturday night’s home opener at Hammond Stadium against the Hammerheads.

You can pick up free tickets to the game by visiting any Wendy’s in Lee or Collier County.