Miracle slowed by Jays' starter

FORT MYERS — The Fort Myers Miracle got great pitching once again Saturday night at Hammond Stadium, but one pitch proved to be the difference in their 4-1 loss to the Dunedin Blue Jays.

Nick Blackburn was solid for the first six innings but was living on the edge. He allowed a runner in scoring position in every inning but one, and it finally caught up to him in the seventh.

With two on and two out, Ron Davenport blasted a three-run homer over the right-center field wall to give the Blue Jays the lead that they wouldn't relinquish.

Blackburn went 6 and 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out four.

The Miracle couldn't mount much of an offense against one of the premier pitchers in the FSL, Ismael Ramirez. He had won nine of his last 10 decisions and was stellar, going six innings and allowing one run on four hits. The Miracle take today off before welcoming the Lakeland Tigers to town Monday night for a doubleheader.