Miracle win eighth straight

By Special to the Fort Myers News-Press

The Fort Myers Miracle completed a sweep of the Brevard County Manatees with a 4-2 win Sunday afternoon.

The Miracle have won eight straight Florida State League games after battling back at Hammond Stadium.

Fort Myers' offense came to life in the fifth inning. After Dustin Martin reached on an error and a one-out walk was issued to Danny Valencia, Edward Ovalle sliced 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 to knot the contest at 2. A two-out single to left by Toby Gardenhire, along with another Manatee error, helped the Miracle to the four-run frame.

The Miracle's Jay Rainville allowed two runs — one earned — on five hits, with four strikeouts, in going six innings for the win. J.P. Martinez pitched a perfect seventh and eighth in relief, and Rob Delaney closed the door with a perfect ninth.

The Miracle will begin a three-game series at Tampa on Tuesday.