Tintor slam powers Miracle 10-4 win

Special to the Cape Coral Daily Breeze

DUNEDIN — Eli Tintor put together a 3-for-5 night that included a grand slam and five total RBI Friday night to lead the Fort Myers Miracle to a 10-4 victory over the Dunedin Blue Jays.

Tintor was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.

After being shut out for 14 innings Thursday, the Miracle wasted little time in scoring Friday. Juan Portes led off the game with a double to left and promptly scored a few pitches later on a RBI-single by Erik Lis.

Tintor’s grand slam came in the fourth inning, giving the Miracle with a 5-0 lead. Jeff Christy started the inning by reaching on a throwing error by Jays shortstop Luis Sanchez. Whit Robbins walked before Caleb Moore’s single to center loaded the bases. On a first-pitch fastball from Dunedin starter Kurt Isenberg, Tintor connected on for his second round-tripper of the season.

The Blue Jays came back in the middle three innings, cutting it to a one-run Miracle advantage.

The game remained 5-4 until the Miracle erupted for five runs in the ninth. Matt Betsill and Portes singled to right and would moved up a base on a walk to Steve Tolleson. Lis connected for his team-leading ninth double of the year to score two runs. After an intentional walk to Robbins loaded the bases, Moore forced in a run with a one-out walk.

Along with Tintor, Portes and Lis each registered three-hit nights at the plate. Portes finished with a double and a pair of singles while Lis capped his night with the same double and two hits and three RBI.

Kyle Waldrop (3-0) pitched into the sixth before turning it over to Frank Mata, Angel Garcia and Eddie Morlan who shut down the Jays.

The teams wrap up the four-game series Saturday at 7 p.m.