Three Miracle stars earn promotions

Mauer, Durbin, Abbott headed for Double-A

About 50 fans swarmed Joe Mauer and J.D. Durbin after Saturday’s Florida State League All-Star Game, begging for autographs.

The fans probably figured it was the last time they’ll see the duo in Fort Myers.

Mauer, the top pick in the 2001 draft, and Durbin, the Miracle’s ace pitcher, were called up to Double-A New Britain after Saturday’s game. Fort Myers pitcher Jim Abbott was called up Saturday morning.

Miracle manager Jose Marzan said Mauer, who is third in the league in hitting with a .335 average, was surprised at the news.

“He has been totally amazing behind the plate,” said Miracle manager Jose Marzan. “He’s been a great No. 3 hitter.

“It’s unfortunate for me because I only got to see him for two and half months and I’ll probably not see him again. He’s going to have a nice career. I’ll watch it on TV.”

Mauer, who had heard rumors of his possible promotion, was pleased to hear the news, especially since two of his teammates will be going with him.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Mauer said. “With Durbin and Abbott going up we’re going to have most of our staff over there.”

Mauer figured at the start of the season he would be with the Miracle for the entire year, but New Britain catcher Rob Bowen’s progress this season changed those plans.

Bowen is hitting .313 and was promoted to Triple-A Rochester, opening the door for Mauer.

“It was nice for me,” Mauer said of his time with the Miracle. “You know I live here, so playing at home was really great. We have a great group of guys on this team. I’m sure I’ll be seeing them up (at New Britain).”

Mauer went 0-for-2 in the All-Star Game. Durbin, meanwhile, had a performance to remember.

Durbin, who started the game for the Western Division, opened the contest by throwing a fastball that missed the mark. It was one of four pitches he didn’t throw for a strike. Four pitches later, he fanned Jupiter’s Eric Reed.

The right-hander then dispatched St. Lucie’s Wayne Lydon with a sweeping curveball for a called third strike.

Then Vero Beach’s Franklin Gutierrez, who has a league-leading 15 home runs and is at or near the top of eight other FSL statistical categories, strode to the plate.

Durbin stared him down as if a 14-year-old, pimple-faced Little Leaguer had stepped into the box. The pitcher fell behind 2-1. He then fired a strike and got Gutierrez to chase a high-and-away fastball.

Fourteen pitches. Ten strikes. Three strikeouts. One memorable outing.

Marzan told Durbin of his promotion after the game. “I was definitely on cloud nine (after my outing,” Durbin said. “Now I’m probably on cloud 10 or 11."