FORT MYERS - The Fort Myers Miracle won their second game in a row in unconventional fashion on Tuesday against the Jupiter Hammerheads.
With the game tied 2-2 with two outs in the bottom of the 13th, Hammerheads reliever Sean Donatello bounced a wild pitch that got away from catcher J.T. Realmuto, allowing Dan Rohlfing to race home from third base for the winning run. Realmuto was able to corral the wild pitch a few feet away from home, but his throw to Dontatello and the tag was too late to get Rohlfing and the Miracle celebrated a 3-2 victory.
Rohlfing, who started the season 0 for 11, belted an RBI double in the eighth that tied the game 2-2. Rohlfing continued to break out of his slump by ripping a one-out double in the 13th that started the game-winning rally.
The Miracle received another outstanding performance from their bullpen in the win. Jose Gonzalez, Caleb Theilbar and Matt Hauser combined to pitch eight scoreless innings and allowed just two hits while recording 10 strikeouts. Hauser earned the win by pitching the final two innings.
Starter Marty Popham settled down after giving up a home run to pitch five solid innings. He scattered six hits and two runs.
Jupiter jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Daniel Pertusati's RBI double in the second and Realmuto's solo home run to lead off the third.
Fort Myers was finally able to push a run across in the fifth when Lance Ray's single plated Angel Morales, who reached on a triple.
Rohlfing's RBI double in the eighth extended the game.
Oswaldo Arcia, Rohlfing, Morales, Jairo Perez and Ray each had two hits for the Miracle. Daniel Santana, who started the season with four multi-hit games, saw his hitting streak come to an end after an 0 for 6 night.
Jupiter starter Edgar Olmos, a 17-game loser for the Hammerheads last year, pitched six innings and gave up four hits and just one run.
Realmuto went 2 for 4 and walked twice. Brian McConkey was the only other Hammerhead to record two hits.
The Miracle (2-3) and Hammerheads (2-3) conclude their three-game series on Wednesday at Hammond Stadium. First pitch is 7:05 p.m.
Listen to the "Voice of the Miracle" Brice Zimmerman and Adam MacDonald on www.miraclebaseball.com . The State Farm Pregame Show begins at 6:45 p.m.
