Devil Rays overcome Miracle

By special to the Fort Myers News-Press

VERO BEACH — Despite getting double-digit hits for the fourth consecutive ballgame, the Fort Myers Miracle fell to the Vero Beach Devil Rays 7-4 on Monday night.

All three Miracle runs came on solo blasts.

Brian Dinkelman led the Florida State League game off with his third home run for the Miracle.

Steve Tolleson and Erik Lis added homers in the third inning.

The Miracle left 10 runners stranded in the loss.

Dinkelman's hitting streak moved to nine games and Tolleson's advanced to seven.

Miracle starter Zach Ward was roughed up in a rare five innings of work, allowing five runs and four hits, in picking up his league-leading 13th loss. Al Reyes, on rehabilitation from Tampa Bay, gave up Dinkelman's shot to center in his only inning of work.

In tonight's third game of the series, the Miracle will start right-hander Oswaldo Sosa (4-5 and a league-best 2.20 ERA). The Devil Rays will counter with righty Doug Waechter (0-1, 11.50 ERA), another Tampa Bay pitcher who is rehabilitating.