Rainville tosses eight in 8-1 Miracle victory

By Special to the Naples Daily News

DAYTONA BEACH — Behind eight innings from starter Jay Rainville and the third home run in two nights by Erik Lis, the Fort Myers Miracle grabbed their third-straight win, 8-1 over the Daytona Cubs on Tuesday night. Rainville picks up his sixth win by allowing one run on six hits, with a pair of strikeouts, in his eight frames of work.

After a leadoff single by Cubs centerfielder Jeffrey Rea and a quick RBI double from Steve Clevenger, Daytona would see their only run of the night come across in the first. Lis’ solo shot came in the fourth, plunking off the yellow pole in right, to tie the ballgame at 1-1.

The Cubs defensive woes with four errors on the night continue in the Miracle sixth and eventually lead to seven more runs. With runners at first and second after an intentional walk to Lis, Dustin Martin would hit what appeared to be a double play ball to second. The relay throw to first by shortstop Jonathan Motav got by Clevenger at first allowing Dinkelman to score the go-ahead run.

Juan Portes would soon belt an RBI triple to right scoring Martin, before plating himself on a wild pitch by starter Joel Santo to make it 4-1 after six. Four runs on four hits, thanks in part to two more Daytona errors, gave the Miracle their final margin of 8-1 in the eighth.

After three base hits from Steve Tolleson, Martin and Portes, a ground ball off the bat of Danny Valencia back to the mound appeared to be another inning-ending double play. Cubs reliever Charles Platt air-mailed the throw to the plate allowing Tolleson and Martin to both score pushing the Miracle advantage to 6-1.

Dwayne White, two batters later, would lace a two-run single to left ending scoring on the night. The Miracle will look to complete their first four-game sweep of the season on Wednesday night. First pitch at Jackie Robinson Ballpark is set for 7:05 p.m.