Miracle fall late to Lakeland

Tigers score two runs in ninth to top Fort Myers

By Special to The News-Press

The Fort Myers Miracle let a golden opportunity slip away Saturday night at Lee County Sports Complex.

The Miracle knew prior to the game that Florida State League West Division leader Dunedin had already lost. With a chance to pull within a half-game of first place — two outs away from victory — the Miracle saw it all disappear as they lost to the Lakeland Tigers 5-4.

Three walks would prove fatal in the ninth inning.

Josh Gray retired the first hitter in the ninth and then gave up a single to Garth McKinney. Gray walked the next two hitters to load the bases. Jan Granado came out of the bullpen to relieve Gray, but he walked Brent Clevlen to force in the tying run and then gave up a sacrifice fly to Derek Nicholson that gave the Tigers the 5-4 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, Trent Oeltjen walked with one out. Kyle Geiger hit a screaming liner that diving Lakeland shortstop Juan Gonzalez snagged. He then got to his knees and threw to first to double up Oeltjen and end the game.

Fort Myers had taken a 4-0 lead against Tiger starter Nate Bumstead. Matt Tolbert singled to left to lead off the first. Angelo Fermin singled on a little dribbler that put runners at first and second. Oeltjen was hit by a pitch to load the bases and a Geiger infield single scored the first run. The second run scored on Brock Peterson's double-play grounder.

In the third, the Miracle put together five straight base hits and scored two runs on Mark Zamojc's single to center.

The Miracle end the series with the Tigers at 1:05 p.m. today.