Cubs rally, then fall

By RANDY RORRER
Daytona News Journal

DAYTONA BEACH -- Prior to Wednesday's game, players from both teams stood in the outfield at Jackie Robinson Ballpark and watched the Space Shuttle Endeavour's launch.

During the game, players from both teams saw balls launched all over the park, as the Fort Myers Miracle and Daytona combined for 25 hits and the Cubs dropped their fifth straight game 9-8.

Daytona starter Greg Reinhard set down the first five batters he faced, but the Miracle's next eight guys reached base and Fort Myers built a 7-0 lead in the second inning.

The Cubs answered with three runs in the second, as Alfred Joseph, Billy Mottram and Mark Reed all drove in runs to cut the lead to 7-3.

Daytona cut the lead to 7-6 with three more runs in the third and tied the game at 7 by manufacturing a run in the fifth.

The Cubs grabbed an 8-7 lead in the sixth when Dopirak drove in Jonathan Mota with a fielder's choice.

Daytona's bullpen had held the Miracle in check for six innings, but Yusdel Tuero (0-2) couldn't close the deal in the ninth.

Erik Lis led of the ninth with a single, and Dustin Martin followed with a double to right. Tuero loaded the bases with one out when he walked Danny Valencia. Johnny Woodard singled Lis home to tie the game, and Dwayne White hit a sacrifice fly to right to put the Miracle ahead.

"You feel good that the guys battled back," Daytona manager Jody Davis said. "But you wonder how they came out so flat and gave them that big a lead.

"These are the dog days of summer, and you have your way through it. You learn a lot about guys when things are going bad."

Daytona embarks on a four-day road trip to Clearwater starting tonight.

"You can't do anything about what happened the last five games," Davis said. "You have to come out everyday to play your best."