Miracle top Manatees, win streak reaches five

By special to the Fort Myers News-Press

A pair of three-run innings Thursday led the Fort Myers Miracle to their fifth consecutive win, a 6-4 decision over the Brevard County Manatees at Hammond Stadium.

Miracle starter Jeff Manship tossed seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits, with five strikeouts in the win.

The Miracle struck first in the opening frame as a leadoff double by Steve Tolleson got the ball rolling. Tolleson later scored on Dustin Martin’s double to right, making it 1-0 Miracle. All five hits on the night for the Miracle were doubles.

A dropped line drive by Lorenzo Cain in right, off the bat of Edward Ovalle, led to the other two runs in the first. Brevard County jumped on the board in the fifth with two runs.

Two more Miracle doubles in the fifth helped lead to the final three scores on the night. Alexander Soto drew a leadoff walk and scored easily on Tolleson’s second two-base hit of the night.

Another Manatee error allowed Tolleson to score the second run of the frame, while Erik Lis cleaned up with his own RBI double to right for the 6-2 lead.