Miracle down Daytona

By Daily News staff

Behind starting pitcher Errol Simonitsch's strong effort Tuesday, the Miracle knocked off the Daytona Cubs at Jackie Robinson Ballpark for the first time since 2003. Fort Myers won, 9-2.

Simonitsch was masterful, allowing two runs in eight innings on seven hits. He walked one and whiffed six for his fourth win of the season.

Simonitsch didn't start well, allowing a double and a single to the first two batters he faced. But Simonitsch settled down, not allowing the second run of the game to score until the eighth inning.

The Miracle jumped on Cubs starter Carlos Marmos, who was 4-0 and had the tenth best ERA in the league (2.48). In the second, Omar Burgos ripped a single down the right-field line that scored Kyle Phillips and Ben Pattee to give the Miracle a 2-1 lead.

The Miracle rocked Marmol for three more in the fifth. Scott Whitrock led off the inning with a double. Matt Moses followed with a walk. Brock Peterson, who collected his second straight three-hit game, singled home Whitrock. One out later, Phillips walked and with the bases loaded. Pattee was hit by a pitch. The Miracle scored their final run of the inning on a passed ball.

The Miracle tacked on four more runs in the seventh.

Every Miracle player except Moses collected a hit. Phillips was 2-4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored.

The same two teams meet tonight at Jackie Robinson Ballpark at 7:05 p.m. The Miracle send RHP Scott Tyler (2-2, 4.46) to the hill against Cubs LHP JR Mathes (1-1, 2.75).

The Miracle return home Thursday night for a four game series against the Jupiter Hammerheads beginning at 7:05 p.m.