FORT MYERS - Dan Rohlfing went 3 for 4 and drove in both runs for Fort Myers as the Miracle clipped the Clearwater Threshers 2-1 at Hammond Stadium Tuesday evening.
Marty Popham kept the Threshers in check by limiting them to six hits and one run in six innings of work. He received a no decision and threw 87 pitches.
Nelvin Fuentes pitched two scoreless innings to earn the win and Ricky Bowen struck out the side in the ninth for his team-leading fourth save.
Rohlfing was the key cog in Fort Myers' run scoring plays. Trailing 1-0 in the fourth, the Miracle got a two-out single from Oswaldo Arcia off of Threshers starter Jesse Biddle. Rohlfing then ripped a double to the gap in left-center that scored Arcia to tie the game.
Rohlfing broke the 1-1 tie in the eighth inning, again with two outs. He punched a 95 mile per hour fastball from Colby Shreve through the right side with the bases loaded to plate Daniel Ortiz for the go-ahead run.
Rohlfing also belted a double in the seventh to go 3 for 4.
Popham was able to pitch out of a couple jams in the middle of the ballgame. The Threshers loaded the bases with one out in the fourth but Popham allowed just a sac fly to center from Cameron Rupp and got Miguel Alvarez to fly out to center to end the inning.
The Threshers put the first two men on in the fifth inning, but Popham got three consecutive ground outs to end the threat.
Arcia and Daniel Santana each went 2 for 4 and Levi Michael and Ortiz both had hits for the Miracle.
Shreve fell to 1-1 after allowing three hits and the game-winning run in the eighth. Drew Hillman went 3 for 3 in the losing effort for the Threshers.
After taking the first two of the series, the Miracle (18-27) will go for the series win over the Threshers (22-21) on Wednesday at Hammond Stadium. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Join the "Voice of the Miracle" Brice Zimmerman and Adam MacDonald for the broadcast at 6:45 p.m. on miraclebaseball.com.
