 July 14, 2006 - FORT MYERS, FL (July 15, 2006) – Anthony Swarzak hadn’t gotten over the sixth inning hump all season. In 18 starts he worked at least 5.0 innings in 13 of 18 starts and 6.0 innings six times, but never into the seventh, that was until his performance on Friday night at Hammond Stadium where he gave the Miracle 7.0 shutout innings guiding his team to a 3-0 victory over the Tampa Yankees.
Swarzak was in command from the beginning where he struck out the first five Yankee hitters on the night, including three looking. He didn’t give up his first hit until there was one out in the third and allowed just one more hit, a lead off single in the seventh by Edwar Gonzalez. Only one Yankee reached as far as second, Cody Ehlers in the fourth when Swarzak walked Ehlers and Gonzalez. Swarzak got a double play off the bat of Rudy Guillen to end the inning. Swarzak hurled 7.0 shutout innings allowing just two hits while walking three and striking out a season tying high eight to earn his fifth victory of the season.
The Miracle, who improved to 10-10 in the second half, got Swarzak all the run support he needed in the third. Jeremy Pickrel blasted a solo homer over the right-center field wall, his fourth of the season. Korey Feiner followed with a single, went to third on a double by Brandon Roberts and scored on a sac fly by Steve Tolleson. Roberts finished the night 3-4, extending his hitting streak to eight games.
The Miracle scored their third run in the seventh when Erold Andrus scored on a botched pickoff attempt. With Roberts at first and Andrus at third, pitcher Edwar Ramirez used the old fake to third move. Roberts took off, but Ramirez’ throw to second went into center field allowing Andrus to score.
Chris Schutt earned his third save of the season, tossing the final 2.0 innings allowing two hits while striking out one. It was the first shut out for the Miracle since June 11 when they blanked the Clearwater Threshers at Bright House Networks Field.
The Miracle head to Knology Park for a three game series against the Dunedin Blue Jays beginning Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. The Miracle send LHP Justin Jones (1-3, 3.99) to the hill against Blue Jays RHP Russ Savickas (2-1, 2.81).
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