Miracle defeat Sarasota

By Daily News staff

A standing-room only crowd of 7,954 at Hammond Stadium witnessed the Fort Myers Miracle defeat the Sarasota Reds, 5-1, on Sunday night.

With the win, the Miracle improved to 8-0 when playing in front of a crowd of 3,000 or higher. Fort Myers is also nursing a half-game lead in the Florida State League's Western Division over Dunedin.

The Miracle scored the game-winner in the second when Justin Arneson singled home Trent Oeltjen, and added insurance runs in the third, fifth and sixth.

Tristan Crawford, his second start, earned the win by pitching five shutout innings.

The series now switches to Sarasota's Ed Smith Stadium, where the teams begin a two-game set at 4 p.m. today.