Mighty Mussels Game Notes – Sat, Aug 17 vs Lakeland

August 17, 2024 – Florida State League (FSL)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release

The Mighty Mussels have won six games in a row and look to continue to build their lead in the FSL West at Hammond Stadium at 6:05 p.m. Saturday.

Pitching Matchups

Sat, 6:05 pm – RHP Adrian Bohorquez (0-0, 2.56) vs RHP Hayden Minton (3-4, 4.52)

Sun, 12:05 pm – LHP Ross Dunn (1-3, 5.68) vs RHP Rayner Castillo (3-1, 2.82)

WINOKUR HITS THREE HR FRIDAY

The Mighty Mussels won their sixth game in a row on Friday, defeating Lakeland 12-2 to extend their lead to 6.0 games in the FSL West. Brandon Winokur had a historic night, connecting on three home runs in the victory. The last Mighty Mussels to hit three home runs in a game was Carlos Aguiar, who hit three in Dunedin on May 23, 2023. With a 10-2 start to August, the Mighty Mussels now have the third best record of the 120 full season teams in Minor League Baseball:

2nd Half Win %

Portland (BOS – AA) 30-12 .714

Palm Beach (STL – A) 31-13 .705

Fort Myers (MIN – A) 29-13 .690

Bowling Green (TB – A+) 30-14 .682

Columbus (CLE – AAA) 27-14 .659

Winokur’s three home runs brings him to 12 for the season, one away from the Mussels’ era (Since 2021) single-season record of 13 homers which was set by Rubel Cespedes last season.

SERIES OF THE SEASON!

After going 5-1 last week, the Mighty Mussels held a 2.0 game lead on the Lakeland Flying Tigers heading into this week’s series. The Lakeland active roster currently features two ranked prospects:

Lakeland MLB BA

INF Cristian Santana 29 28

INF Franyerber Montilla – 21

Despite having a winning record in 10 of its last 11 seasons, Fort Myers has qualified for the playoffs only once in three years of the Mussels’ era – losing to Dunedin in the first round in 2022. The Miracle claimed the FSL Championship in 2014 and 2018.

HOT AS AUGUST

The Mighty Mussels have started 10-2 in the month of August, taking control of the second half race in the FSL West. Both their team and individual players have put up spectacular numbers this month:

FSL Ranks W-L Runs OPS ERA WHIP

Fort Myers 1st T-1st 3rd 2nd 1st

August AVG Win % OPS

Brandon Winokur .289 5 HR, 8 RBI 1.017

Caden Kendle .375 4 2B, 7 RBI .986

Kaelen Culpepper .310 4 XBH, 7 RBI .892

Derek Bender .286 HR, 4 RBI .829

Charlee Soto 10 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 7 K, 2 BB

RETURN OF RODRIGUEZ

After a three month stint on the 60-day injured list due to a right thumb injury, OF Jose Rodriguez was activated on Saturday and will start as the Mussels’ DH. The 19-year-old connected on four home runs in…