DUNEDIN - The Dunedin Blue Jays cruised to a 16-4 victory Tuesday night in the first of a four-game series with the Fort Myers Miracle.
The Jays knocked around Miracle starter Madison Boer early for nine runs, including three homers before he could record an out in the third inning.
Marcus Knecht and Michael Crouse hit back-to-back solo blasts in the second inning. Boer (0-2) allowed the first seven Blue Jays to reach base in the third inning. Ryan Schimpf led off with a large homer over the right field wall and Sean Ochinko, Kevin Ahrens, and Knecht each added RBI hits.
Matt Hauser entered the game in relief of Boer and gave up a two-run double to Crouse. When the inning finally ended on a strikeout of Kevin Nolan, the Jays had sent 11 hitters to the plate, recorded seven hits and scored seven runs.
Dunedin added five more in the bottom of the fifth off reliever Nelvin Fuentes with Knecht picking up his second home run of the night. Knecht connected on a finished the evening 4-for-5 with five runs batted in.
The Miracle pitching staff gave up season-highs in runs with 16 and hits with 18.
Fort Myers picked up a sacrifice fly by Michael Gonzales in the top of the fourth. Dunedin starter Sean Nolin (4-0) earned the victory with six innings allowing just one run on five hits.
Levi Michael delivered a two-run double in a three-run ninth.
The Miracle (12-20) and Blue Jays (22-10) return at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday.
