Jays Strong Start Can't Outlast Miracle

The D-Jays fell to 3-7 in their last 10 games Tuesday, losing to the Fort Myers Miracle 8-5.

D-Jays starter Asher Wojciechowski struck out five Miracle in the first three innings but the second time through the batting order proved to be disastrous. Fort Myers batted around the order in the fourth, scoring five times on five hits and a walk.

The second and third hitters in the Miracle line-up went 6-10, scoring three times. Shortstop James Beresford of Australia and Aaron Hicks, the 14th overall pick in the 2008 draft, led the Miracle assault.

The Jays (12-13) and Miracle (13-12) complete their four-game series on today (July 20). First pitch is set for 11 a.m. Toronto Blue Jays Dustin McGowan is the probable starter.

Notes:

• A conversation between Tuesday's starting pitchers during Sunday's rain delay unveiled something interesting. Both pitched in Little Leagues in Europe. Asher Wojciechowski spent a great deal of his childhood in Romania while Tom Stuifbergen was born and raised in the Netherlands.
• Extra batting practice with former American League MVP George Bell paid immediate dividends for two Gulf Coast Blue Jays. Dickie Thon and Seth Conner both received special attention from Bell during their doubleheader on Monday. In Tuesday's 5-4 victory over the GC Tigers the two 19-year-olds homered. It was Thon's first professional round tripper. Conners finished the day with his second home run of the year, a double, a walk, and two runs batted-in. He also scored a pair of runs.