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When your best pitcher, the best pitcher in the league, gives up seven runs in 5.2 innings, you don’t expect to win any game, particularly a Game 1 in a playoff series. But the Ft. Myers Miracle did just that.
David Bromberg was the Florida State League Pitcher of the Year this year. He got the Game 1 start for the Miracle. He started out well, putting three zeroes on the board to start the game. But he gave up two runs in the fourth, one more in the fifth and four more in the sixth inning. Steve Hirschfeld replaced him and got the final out of the sixth inning. He went two more innings without allowing a run. Joe Testa was called upon for the ninth inning and he got the save, holding that one run lead.
All things being unfair, Bromberg actually gets the Win because the Miracle offense showed up. They had a five run fifth inning, and got two more in the sixth inning. Joe Benson and Estarlin de Los Santos led the offensive attack. Benson went 3-4 with a solo home run in the game. He also stole a base. De Los Santos also had three hits, including a triple and a big three run homer in that big fifth inning. Chris Parmelee and Deibinson Romero were each 1-3 with two walks in the game.
The Miracle brings a 1-0 series lead back to Ft. Myers where tonight they will play Game 2 of the best of three series.
The New Britain Rockcats begin their Best of Five series against the Connecticut Defenders tonight. They will play the first two games at home before the final three games would be played on the road. To help them in the playoffs, the Rockcats have added Angel Morales to their roster after his tremendous second half in Beloit. With Rene Tosoni at the World Cup and Brandon Roberts not at 100%, they needed another outfielder.
Twins Links:
- Travis handed out five year end awards to the Rochester Red Wings and the New Britain Rockcats this week.
If you have any opinions, comments or updates, please leave them in the Comments section.
De los santos had a good year despite being injured during most of the first half. He should be a top 30 borderline 20 guy. Its nice to see Morales up in new britain for a minute. He should move up to ft. Myers next season.
I’m excited to see Morales as well, but I’m not expecting much production from him in this series (or any other if they advance). Top 5 Twins prospect perhaps?
De Los Santos’s only problem has been staying healthy. He’s got good speed and a decent glove and arm. He could be alright.
Troy – short answer – Easily Top 5… (But yeah, I would expect plenty of swings and misses in these short series, but you never know in a short series.)
Seth, who do you think is pitching Ft. Myers game 2, and game 3 if necessary? I would have thought that Hirschfield would have been one of their starters in this series, but he pitched a couple innings of relief last night. Who do you think? Robertson & Santos Arias?
By the way, Santos Arias is going to score very highly in my rankings at year end. Don’t know if it will be a top 10, but he rated out very highly. He is having a very quiet, great year for the Miracle.
It would have to be Robertson and Arias in some order. Not sure who else would. Arias have been terrific again this year! If he could only get bigger, he’d be a top prospect.
By the way, I’m told that the Rockcats rotation for their series will be: Guerra, Fox, Mullins, McCardell.
Interesting Seth, that would put Mullins in for game 3 on three days rest. Although he only pithced 4 innings in his last start…they may have been looking forward.
That would be pushing McCardell back, which they may be doing cause he has the least experience. On the other hand he has pitched better than anyone of late. Should be interesting seeing how they fare against a team they are 4-16 against this year. Go CATS!