Lakeland bullpen silences Miracle bats last 4 innings

Special to the Cape Coral Daily Breeze

LAKELAND — A two-run double by Deik Scram in the bottom of the fifth inning proved to be the difference Wednesday night as the Lakeland Tigers held on for a 3-2 win over the Fort Myers Miracle.

Lakeland’s bullpen shut the door on the Miracle in the final four innings, not allowing a single run on just one hit.

The Miracle (16-18) struck first as Brian Dinkelman walked and later scored on a fielder’s choice by Juan Portes.

The Tigers tied things up an inning later with their own unearned run in the second. A throwing-error by shortstop Toby Gardenhire ultimately led to Mark Haske scoring on Shawn Roof’s infield single in the second.

Dinkelman gave the Miracle a 2-1 advantage with his fifth home run of the season, a solo shot to right, in the fifth inning.

A walk to Rafael Mendez and a double by Joel Roa proved costly in the Tigers’ fifth as Scram belted his difference-maker just moments later.

The Miracle now head home for a nine-game, 10-day homestand beginning with the division-leading Tampa Yankees Thursday night. Dunedin and Lakeland follow the Yankees for three-game series each.

Right-hander Zach Ward (2-14, 3.09) is scheduled to start for the Miracle.

Fans will have a chance to kick a field goal after the game for a chance at 2007 Miami Dolphins tickets.