Fort Myers 4, Bradenton 0

www.secondshotphoto.com

FT. MYERS – Four Miracle (18-14) pitchers teamed on a six-hit shutout to defeat the Marauders (16-16) 4-0 on Tuesday night at Hammond Stadium. The Miracle hit a pair of early home runs and held off Bradenton to move into a tie for first in the South Division.

Jorge Polanco doubled against Chad Kuhl (L, 3-3) with one out in the bottom of the first. Top Minnesota Twins prospect Byron Buxton smashed the next pitch out to left field for a two-run home run, his first hit of the season after joining the team on Sunday.

The Miracle doubled its lead in the second. Niko Goodrum singled with one away and stole second. Max Kepler blasted an 0-2 pitch out to right to give Fort Myers a 4-0 lead that held up as the final.

Kuhl pitched six innings and struck out four without walking a batter. Ryan Hafner tossed two scoreless frames, allowing one hit but facing the minimum.

Steven Gruver started and pitched four innings in a spot start for Fort Myers. Tim Shibuya (W, 3-2) tossed the next three. Brandon Peterson struck out the side in the eighth in his Fort Myers debut. Tyler Jones pitched the ninth. The four pitchers combined to strike out nine Marauders.

Adam Frazier led Bradenton offensively with three hits, including a double. Bradenton Manager Tom Prince was ejected for the first time this season, getting tossed in the top of the sixth.

The Marauders return home to McKechnie Field to take on the Charlotte Stone Crabs on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Pat Ludwig will start for the Marauders against Roberto Gomez of the Stone Crabs.

The box score for Tuesday's game can be seen here; the Play-by-Play review can be viewed here.