Miracle cruise past Devil Rays

By Special to the Fort Myers News-Press

Juan Portes drove in five runs, including a bases-clearing triple in a five-run third inning, Saturday to lead the the Fort Myers Miracle to an 8-2 win over the Vero Beach Devil Rays at Hammond Stadium.

After the Miracle secured a two-run early lead the Florida State League game from a Dwayne White infield RBI-single and Portes' first RBI of the night with his single in the second, Fort Myers exploded for a 7-0 lead with the five-run third.

Edward Ovalle walked and White singled to right, followed by a Javi Sanchez walk to start off the third. Toby Gardenhire and Steve Tolleson then picked up back-to-back walks for the first two runs of the frame. Portes' triple to center snuck past the outstretched glove of Rays center fielder Garrett Groce to clear the bases.

After Portes picked up his fifth RBI on a ground out to second in the fifth, Vero Beach tacked on two runs in the seventh on a two-run double by catcher Alex Jamieson.

The Miracle will head out on the road to begin at three-game series with the Clearwater Threshers this afternoon. Right-hander Oswaldo Sosa (2-3, 2.61 ERA) will pitch for the Miracle.