Miracle come up short in ninth

The Fort Myers Miracle squandered a bases-loaded opportunity in the ninth inning Monday night, losing 6-5 to the Palm Beach Cardinals in a Florida State League baseball game at Hammond Stadium.

Trailing 6-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Miracle rallied behind consecutive singles by Garrett Guzman, Ron Perodin and Alex Romero, the latter driving in a run.

After Trent Oeltjen reached on an error to load the bases with one out, Danny Matienzo hit a ground ball to third and the Cardinals forced Perodin out at home. Doug Deeds then grounded out to end the game.

Guzman went 3-for-4, with two runs scored, for the Miracle, which entered Monday’s game hitting just .189 as a team with the bases loaded.

The same two teams will meet at 7 tonight at Hammond Stadium.

The Miracle will send right-hander Marcus Moseley (3-1, 4.50 ERA) to the mound against Cardinals right-hander Jordan Pals (0-0).