Miracle falter 6-2 against Sarasota

By SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS

The Fort Myers Miracle are trying to make some noise in the Florida State League's Western Division, but they took a step back Thursday night at Hammond Stadium in losing 6-2 to the Sarasota Reds.

Miracle starter Tristan Crawford struggled in his four innings of work before a one hour and 25 minute rain delay. With the game tied at 1 in the third, Crawford walked Chris Dickerson with one out. Joey Votto's infield single put runners at first and second. Jason Vavao and Ben Himes followed with RBI singles to make it 3-1.

The Reds added to their lead in the fourth on an RBI double by Dickerson.

After the fourth inning was completed the two teams waited out the rain, but the Miracle didn't fare any better after the delay.

In the fifth the Reds got two runs off of Miracle reliever Jay Sawatski. He walked Himes with one out and gave up a single to Mark Schramek that put runners at first and second. Miguel Perez then lined a single off Sawatski's leg which scored Himes. Luis Bolivar then reached on an error, scoring Schramek.

The Miracle got a run in the bottom of the sixth when Scott Whitrock singled and Matt Tolbert doubled him home.

Brock Peterson extended his hitting streak to 16 games.

The same two teams meet tonight in Sarasota.