Miracle let one-run lead slip away

The Fort Myers Miracle are proving they have trouble closing out ballgames. For the second time in three games, the Miracle blew a one-run lead in the ninth inning, suffering a 2-1 Florida State League loss Saturday night against the Sarasota Red Sox.

The Miracle led 1-0 going into the ninth. Erik Lohse, who had allowed only two earned runs in his last 19 innings pitched, had just finished working a scoreless eighth.

After getting the first out in the ninth, Lohse gave up consecutive hits by Alberto Concepcion, Stefan Bailie and Matt Murton.

Jeremy West hit a sacrifice fly to drive in the tying run.

Chris Durbin then hit a grounder to third baseman Ben Pattee, whose throw to first pulled Danny Matienzo off the bag and allowed the go-ahead run to score.

In the bottom of the ninth, Fort Myers had runners at the corners with one out when Brett Tamburrino hit a grounder to second baseman Ignacio Suarez.

Suarez tagged the runner, Doug Deeds, coming by and threw to first to double up Tamburrino and end the game.

Miracle starter Jeff Randazzo went seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits, walking two and striking out six.

It was Randazzo’s second-longest start of the season, but he missed out on his fourth win of the year.

The Miracle are off today.

Fort Myers’ next game will be on the road at 7 p.m. Monday at Dunedin’s Knology Park, where they will take on the Blue Jays.

The Miracle will send right-hander Marcus Moseley (3-1, 4.58 ERA) to the mound, and the Blue Jays will start right-hander Shaun Marcum (1-0, 3.27).