Manship's 12 strikeouts lead to Miracle's 4-1 win over Lakeland

By special to the Naples Daily News

LAKELAND — Fort Myers Miracle starter Jeff Manship went seven strong innings on Monday night leading his teammates to a 4-1 win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers. In a game delayed by more than two hours, the wait turned out to be well worth it as Manship allowed one run on six hits, with a season-high 12 strikeouts sending his mark to 5-1.

Steve Tolleson drew a one-out walk in the top of the first and would later score on an Erik Lis groundout to short. Tolleson was able to score from third after advancing on Juan Portes’ double to right.

With the bases-loaded and nobody out in the Lakeland second, a fielder’s choice hit into by Mark Haske would tie the contest at one. Manship would then buckle down to retire Jeff Kunkel and Rafael Mendez on strikes to end the inning.

A sacrifice-fly from Lis in the third gave the Miracle a 2-1 lead, before a Lakeland error and RBI-single from Portes in the fifth send the lead to its final spot of 4-1. Armando Gabino tossed two blemish-free innings for his fourth save of the year.

Game two of the series continues on Tuesday night beginning at 7 p.m. The Miracle will send RHP Kyle Waldrop (4-2, 2.86) to the Joker Marchant Stadium rubber against the Tigers RHP Burke Badenhop (9-5, 3.17).