July 29, 2011

Special to the Breeze (breezesports@breezenewspapers.com)

The Tampa Yankees blasted the Fort Myers Miracle 12-2 Thursday night to complete a four-game sweep at Hammond Stadium.

The Yankees hit three home runs and cranked out 15 hits. Tampa’s big blow came in the fifth inning, chasing Miracle starter Pat Dean from the game with six runs scoring on five hits including a three-run homer by Hector Rabago.

After giving up a run in the first, The Miracle tied the game in the second on a RBI single by Josmil Pinto off Yankee starter Sean Black. In the third, Oswaldo Arcia crushed a solo homer over the right field wall to take a brief 2-1 lead.

Tampa added five runs combined in the seventh and eighth innings with home runs by Luke Murton and Kyle Roller.

Dean (2-4) gave up six runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings, but registered a season-high seven strikeouts. Sean Black (6-6) evened his record with six strong innings, scattering six hits and giving up two runs.

Clint Dempster appeared in relief for the Miracle and gave up three runs in 2 1/3 innings. Matthew Tomshaw made his Florida State League debut and gave up three runs in two innings.

The Miracle (48-56, 14-20), who have lost eight games in a row, continue an eight-game homestand by hosting the Lakeland Tigers starting Friday night in the first of a four-game set.