Miracle overpower St. Lucie

By Special to the Naples Daily News

FORT MYERS — 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 on Thursday night.

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 Jeff Manship and the Miracle pitching staff would need.

Steve Tolleson started everything off for the Miracle in the first with one of two doubles on the night, later scoring on a passed ball from Mets catcher Rafael Arroyo. With two outs in the second, Sanchez delivered the first of his three hits, a two-out, two-run single to right for a three-run advantage.

Manship, in his first start with the Miracle, tossed five innings allowing three runs on seven hits, with six strikeouts, in the win.