The
Miracle entered the past 7 game road trip looking for answers at the
plate. The offense has improved over recent weeks, but still is looking
to find consistency. Here is a breakdown of the Miracle bats over the
last 7 games:

Morales: 9-27, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 4 BB, 8 K, 1 SB

Dozier : 9-25, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 7 K, 1 SB

Hanson: 7-27, 1 2B, 1 3B, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 SB

De. Romero : 3-15, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 5 K

N. Romero : 9-29, 2 2B, 5 RBI, 0 BB, 7 K

Solarte : 5-23, 3 RBI, 0 BB, 2 K

Herrmann : 6-22, 3 BB, 3 K

De San Miguel : 2-14, 1 RBI, 5 BB, 5 K, 1 SB

Goncalves : 5-24, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0 BB, 5 K

Streich: 1-7, 0 BB, 4 K

Santana: 0-7, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 3 K

Thompson: 1-11, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 6 K

Totals: 57-231, 8 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 22 BB, 60 K

Over
the 7 game road trip, the Miracle collectively batted .247. On the
year, they are hitting .248. Although the Florida State League is known
as a pitchers league, the lack of extra base hits grabs my attention.
The top of the Miracle line-up continued to stay hot over the last week.
Morales and Dozier seem to be a good 1/2 fit atop the Miracle line-up
with their high on base percentages.

One
of the biggest challenges for the Miracle in 2010 has been their
inability to string multiple hits together. It seems like game after
game they get 2 quick outs in an inning followed by 2 hits and they’ll
strand those base runners. I would like to see Miracle hitters more
selective at the plate; this will increase their base on ball totals and
set-up the offense to score more runs. 3 Miracle hitters had 13 of the
22 walks on the past road trip. With their inability to hit for extra
bases, I think it would benefit the Miracle to be more aggressive on the
bases with the hit and run; putting runners in motion will create holes
in the infield giving hitters a better chance to reach base.  

The
Miracle enters the final 19 games, 5 games behind Palm Beach. The
Miracle were unable to pick up any ground in the standings over the last
7 days. With this said, the Miracle will face Palm Beach 6 of the final
19 games. What do I think it will take for the Miracle to make a
dramatic come back to catch Palm Beach and win the second half? At the
very least, 15-4 taking 5 of 6 against Palm Beach. If the Miracle can
make this happen, I think you’ll be looking at the Fort Myers Miracle as
2010 2nd half Florida State League South Division Champions. Let’s Go
Miracle!!!