Miracle net only two hits in 5-1 loss

By SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS

LAKELAND — The first-half Florida State League race is officially over for the Fort Myers Miracle.

The Miracle were eliminated Sunday night with a 5-1 loss to FSL Western Division leader Lakeland.

The Tigers, on the other hand, reduced their magic number to clinch the division to one.

The Miracle managed just two hits, and didn't collect the first one until there was one out in the sixth inning. With Denard Span at first, after reaching on second baseman Juan Francia's error, J.R. Taylor hit a two hopper to second base that took a bad hop over the head of Francia and went into right field.

The next batter, Matt Moses grounded out to first — scoring Span for the Miracles' only run.

Ron Perodin had an infield single in the eighth for the other Miracle hit.

Tigers starter Randor Bierd gave up a run (unearned) on one hit over his seven innings.

Bierd struck out four and walked one for his first win this season.

Lakeland got an RBI double from Kelly Hunt in the first inning. In the fourth, Garth McKinney had an RBI double, Eric Rodland an RBI triple, and Danilo Sanchez added a run-scoring single.

Sanchez had another RBI single in the sixth inning.

The Miracle bullpen of Tristan Crawford, Josh Gray and Chris Schutt pitched the final five innings, allowing one run on six hits while walking three and striking out three.

The same two teams at 11 a.m. today in Lakeland to wrap up the four-game series.

The Miracle will start right-hander Scott Tyler (4-3, 4.58 ERA, while Lakeland will go with FSL All-Star Nathan Bumstead (8-1, 2.93).