Miracle romp past Reds

By special to the Fort Myers News-Press

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 at Hammond Stadium.

Steve Tolleson started things for the Miracle in the first, with one of two doubles on the night.

After a St. Lucie run in the fourth, the Miracle exploded for four in their half of the frame beginning with a RBI-single from Johnny Woodard.

Josh Peterson’s two-run home run in the Mets sixth cut it to a 7-3 ball game but that’s as close as St. Lucie would get. In the Miracle eighth, Portes blasted his fifth round-tripper of the year, wrapping up the five-run, three-hit eighth.

Manship, in his first start with the Miracle, tossed five innings allowing three runs on seven hits, with six strikeouts, in the win. Relievers Armando Gabino and Eddie Morlan would each surrender one hit in the final four innings of the game.

With the series tied at a game apiece, Yohan Pino will take the mound tonight for the Miracle.