Lakeland bullpen shuts down Miracle

By Special to the Naples Daily News

LAKELAND — A two-run double off the bat of Deik Scram in the bottom of the fifth inning Wednesday night proved to be the difference as the Lakeland Flying Tigers survived for the second-straight night in a 3-2 win over the Fort Myers Miracle. The Lakeland bullpen shut the door on the Miracle in the final four innings, not allowing a single run on just one hit.

The Miracle struck first on Wednesday as Brian Dinkelman walked and later scored on a fielder’s choice from Juan Portes. Lakeland tied things up an inning later with their own unearned run in the second. A throwing error by Toby Gardenhire at short led to Mark Haske scoring on an infield single by Shawn Roof in the Flying Tiger second.

Dinkelman would give the Miracle a 2-1 advantage with his fifth home run of the season, a solo-shot to right, in the Miracle fifth. A walk to Rafael Mendez and a double from Joel Roa proved costly in the Lakeland fifth as Scram belted the difference-maker just moments later.

The Miracle now head home for a nine-game in 10-day homestand beginning with the division-leading Tampa Yankees on Thursday night. “Thursty Thursday” begins at 7:05 p.m. with half-price beer throughout the night along with the football-themed “Kickin’ for Chicken” post-game event. Fans will have a chance to kick a field goal after the contest for a shot at 2007 Miami Dolphins tickets. RHP Zach Ward (2-14, 3.09) is slated to start for the Miracle.