Miracle stretch streak to 12

Special to the Cape Coral Daily Breeze

The franchise record of 12-straight wins set by the Fort Myers Miracle squad in 1995 now has some company. The 12-year old mark was equaled Friday night when the Miracle used 15 hits in a 9-4 win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Five Miracle hitters had multiple-hit nights, helping to extend Lakeland’s streak to eight-straight losses.

Both teams traded a pair of runs in the first. The Miracle picked up an RBI double from Erik Lis and a groundout from Juan Portes. The offense picked right back up in the second with three runs, and the Miracle never look back.

Brian Dinkelman had a two-out single, scoring Edward Ovalle, and Lis’ second RBI made it a three-run Miracle lead.

Dinkelman added another RBI single in the sixth, providing some insurance.

The 15 hits on Friday trailed only the season-high of 17 set back in June against the Jupiter Hammerheads. The Miracle received six strong innings by starter Zach Ward, two from Danny Powers, and one from J.P. Martinez in the win.

Game two of the series will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday night at Joker Marchant Stadium.