A PRISM contribution; written by Jason Roberts
All photos original work by and property of Jason Roberts
Additional images are available by contacting jason@prismfreelantz.org
The Sarasota Reds capped off a three-game home series against the Fort Myers Miracle Wednesday night with a 6-5 win, and take to the road tonight for the first of a three-game set against the Jupiter Hammerheads at Roger Dean Stadium.
The Reds, now tied with the Palm Beach Cardinals at the bottom of the FSL South at 9-17, were propelled to victory by a strong offensive showing in the first inning of last night’s game, with Sarasota batters tallying a total of four scores – two of which came off a two-run shot by outfielder Denis Phipps that sailed over the left field wall.
Sarasota would score two additional runs before the night was over, the first when left fielder Carson Kainer was driven home on a single to center field by Phipps in the bottom of the third, the other as catcher Devin Mesoraco grounded out in the fifth inning, but not before second baseman Alex Buchholz tagged up at third and beat the throw home.
Fort Myers looked to make this a competitive contest from the get go, with center fielder for the Miracle, Ben Revere, scoring in the top of the first, followed by a two-run set in the second coming off scores by third baseman Juan Richardson and center fielder Ben Revere.
The Reds pitching rotation held strong from the third through seventh innings, however, allowing only two Miracle hitters to reach base, one off a walk in the top of the fifth, the other after designated hitter Deibinson Romero was hit by a pitch from Sarasota’s Enerio Del Rosario.
Still, the Sarasota faithful got a bit of a scare in the eighth inning, this as Miracle right fielder Joe Benson and Richardson both reached home plate to bring the game within one run. The Reds coaching staff quickly moved to replaced Del Rosario after the first score, bringing in reliever Ben Davis to close out the night.
Davis allowed one run before closing out the eighth inning, but then shut down Fort Myers in the top of the ninth inning, with only Robinson getting on base on a walk.
Left hander Travis Webb (1-2) of the Reds was awarded the win Wednesday night, pitching through five innings and surrendering three hits and three runs through five innings. Meanwhile, Miracle starter Deolis Guerra falls to 2-2 on the season following Wednesday night’s loss, throwing four innings, allowing 11 hits and six runs before being replaced by Steven Hirschfeld.
