Miracle make it eight in a row with sweep of Brevard County

By Special to the Naples Daily News

FORT MYERS — The Fort Myers Miracle have picked a great time to click on all cylinders as they completed the sweep of the Brevard County Manatees in a 4-2 win Sunday afternoon. The Miracle move their win streak to eight after battling back in the matinee at Hammond Stadium.

Brevard County struck first in the fourth with a pair of runs beginning with three-straight hits to start the inning. Lorenzo Cain doubled to left, while Mat Gamel and Cole Gillespie each singled, with Gillespie’s hit scoring Cain for the afternoon’s first run. A fielding error by Danny Valencia at third would lead to the Manatees second and final run as Gamel scored from third.

The Miracle offensive arrived just in time for the fifth inning on Sunday afternoon. A throwing error by Chris Errecart at first allowed Dustin Martin to reach, and after a one-out walk to Valencia, Edward Ovalle would slice a double down the first-base line to cut the Manatee lead in half at 2-1.

Alexander Soto followed with a sacrifice fly to center, plating Valencia, to knot the contest at two apiece. A two-out single to left by Toby Gardenhire along with another Manatee error, a throwing miscue by Gamel at third, helped the Miracle to the four-run frame.

In his six innings of work, Miracle starter Jay Rainville allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits with four strike outs in the win. J.P. Martinez pitched a perfect seventh and eighth in relief Sunday while Rob Delaney closed the door in a perfect ninth against the Manatees.

A league-wide off day will take place on Monday before the Miracle head out on a six-game road trip beginning Tuesday. The journey begins with a three-game series against the division-leading Tampa Yankees at Legends Field on Tuesday night at 7.