Randazzo sharp, Miracle win

The Fort Myers Miracle defeated the Brevard County Manatees 4-2 for their third straight victory on Friday night in Melbourne.

Jeff Randazzo allowed just a first-inning run and over the next six innings allowed just three baserunners — a single to Greg Thissen and a walk to Josh Emmerick in the second and a single by Wes Carroll in the sixth. The single by Carroll ended a streak of 10 men in a row retired by Randazzo.

Randazzo went seven innings, allowing one run on four hits while walking one and striking out four. He threw 86 pitches, 60 for strikes.

The Miracle tied the score in the third on an RBI groundout by Danny Matienzo.

Fort Myers gave Randazzo the lead in the eighth when Alex Romero reached on an error. Trent Oeltjen then laid down a bunt. The pitcher, Justin Echols, fielded, and his throw to second went into center. Romero got up and went to third.

The center fielder's throw to third hit Romero and went into the stands, allowing Romero to score. Two batters later, Doug Deeds slugged his fourth homer of the season, a two-run shot to right center that gave the Miracle a 4-1 lead.

The same two teams meet tonight at 7:05. The Miracle send Justin Olson (6-6, 3.04) — making his first start — to the hill, against the Manatees' Joshua Girdley (0-2, 5.59).