Miracle thump Mets 12-3

Special to the Cape Coral Daily Breeze

A four-run fourth inning, followed by a five-run eighth propelled the Fort Myers Miracle to a comfortable 12-3 victory over the St. Lucie Mets Thursday night at Hammond Stadium.

A balanced offensive attack led by three hits from Javi Sanchez and a three-run blast by Juan Portes proved to be all the run support newcomer Jeff Manship and the Miracle pitching staff would need.

Steve Tolleson (2-for-3) started everything off in the first with one of two doubles and scored on a passed ball. With two outs in the second, Sanchez delivered the first of his three hits with a two-out, two-run single to right.

The Miracle erupted for four runs in their half of the fourth beginning with a RBI-single from Johnny Woodard. Sanchez’s third-RBI of the night came on a fielder’s choice. Brian Dinkelman plated Sanchez moments later with a run-scoring single to center.

Another Mets error led to the first two runs in the Miracle eighth before Portes belted his fifth homer of the year, wrapping up the five-run, three-hit eighth.

The teams meet again Friday night with Yohan Pino on the mound for the Miracle.