Kubel helps spark Miracle to victory

You can work hour after hour in the batting cage, and never swing a bat as fast as Jason Kubel.

The Fort Myers Miracle starting right fielder’s bat speed didn’t come from practice. It wasn’t developed in a batting cage. Kubel was blessed with quick hands.

He put those hands on display Thursday, going 2-for-5, with two RBI, to help the Miracle beat the Sarasota Red Sox 13-0 in front of 876 fans at the Lee County Sports Complex.

Miracle manager Jose Marzan said Kubel’s bat speed will be his ticket to go from the Florida State League to the big leagues.

“He’s going to be a good major-league hitter, and his hands are the reason why,” Marzan said.

“Because his hands are so much quicker than most guys, he can wait, wait, wait on pitches,” Marzan said. “Then when he sees the ball in the strike zone, he can just throw his hands through the zone and. …”

Whack! Single to right field. Crack! Double in the gap.

A career .318 hitter entering this season, Kubel has started out hotter than a Florida summer. Kubel is batting .323, with 10 RBI, through eight games.

Kubel, who hit .321, with 17 homers and 69 RBI, for Quad City last year, knows why he’s so successful.

“I’ve always had that (bat speed),” he said with a shrug. “I’m hardly ever behind on pitches. Unless I’m expecting some other pitch. Even if I am, I can still get around on the ball.”

On a team devoid of much power, Kubel — the Miracle’s cleanup hitter — is being looked upon to drive in runs.

Growing up in Palmdale, Calif., Kubel regularly attended Lancaster Jethawks minor-league games. He’d sit in the stands, close his eyes and picture himself out on the field.

Now, he’s the one on the field. The Miracle (7-1) are on the same level as the Jethawks.

AT THE PLATE: The Miracle sent 11 hitters up to bat in the fourth inning, scoring six runs. … Fort Myers 1B Stephen Tope hit a majestic, opposite-field, solo home run in the second inning. It was his first of the season. … DH Renyel Alvarez continued his torrid start to the year, going 4-for-5. He’s now hitting .478.

ON THE MOUND: Fort Myers starter Brian Wolfe threw six scoreless innings to earn his first victory of the year. Wolfe hasn’t allowed a run in 13 innings this season.