Miracle win, despite letting 4-run lead evaporate

By Special to the Fort Myers News-Press

After Fort Myers saw a late, four-run lead disappear Friday, the Miracle were able to battle back with two unconventional runs in the bottom of the eighth to grab a 7-5, Florida State League win over the visiting Vero Beach Devil Rays.

The Miracle have now won four of their last five games heading into the series-finale against the Rays at Hammond Stadium tonight.

The first two Miracle runs of the night came across in the second inning as a fielder's choice by Dwayne White and Caleb Moore's sacrifice fly scored Erik Lis and Edward Ovalle for the early, two-run lead. After a Steve Tolleson solo home run in the third gave the Miracle a 3-0 lead, the Rays' Matt Devins delivered a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Patrick Cottrell and putting Vero Beach on the board. A two-run single smacked off the bat of Juan Portes in the fifth gave the Miracle their 5-1 lead before the Rays made their comeback.

The Miracle had just four hits on the night, with the final one being Portes' two-run single in the fifth.

NEXT GAME

Who: Fort Myers Miracle vs. Vero Beach Devil Rays
When: 7:05 p.m. today
Where: Hammond Stadium