Unearned runs cause Miracle loss

By Special to the Fort Myers News Press

The Clearwater Threshers used timely hitting and a pair of unearned runs in their favor to defeat the Fort Myers Miracle 4-1 on Monday night at Hammond Stadium.

Clearwater broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning.

Welinson Baez led off with a single to center, with Lou Marson following with a free pass to first. After a successful Brad Harmon sacrifice bunt, the first Thresher run of the night came in via a Clay Harris ground out to third. Kevin Howard then hit a ground ball to short that Steve Tolleson had trouble fielding, which allowed Marson to score from third and keep the inning alive.

The Miracle cut the lead to one in the seventh as Erik Lis led off with a double to right and moved to second on Edward Ovalle's sacrifice bunt. With two outs on the board, Javi Sanchez delivered a flare to right, scoring Lis on the play and accounting for the lone Miracle run of the night.