Five-run 2nd inning carries Miracle to win

By SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS

The Fort Myers Miracle continued a strong season against Florida State League West foes with a 7-2 victory over the Sarasota Reds on Saturday night at the Lee County Sports Complex.

Fort Myers is 33-16 against teams in its own division, including 6-0 against Sarasota.

A five-run second inning carried the Miracle on Saturday.

Kyle Phillips led off the second with a single to left, extending his hitting streak to six games. He stole second. One out later, Trent Oeltjen walked, then Brock Peterson doubled home Phillips.

With the bases loaded and two out, Matt Tolbert ripped a double to right that scored Peterson and Justin Arneson to make it 3-0. The Miracle capped the inning with a two-run single by J.R. Taylor.

Fort Myers starter Justin Jones, making just his second start of the season and first at home, went five shutout innings, allowing two hits while walking one and striking out four.

Peter Tautor pitched 2? innings out of the bullpen, giving up two runs, before Julio DePaula gave up one hit over the final 1.1 innings.

Peterson went 3-for-3, with a double, RBI and a run scored. Tolbert and Taylor collected two RBI each.

The Miracle and Reds will conclude their two-game series at the Lee County Sports Complex at 7:05 tonight. The game will be followed by an Independence Day fireworks show.