Miracle lose matinee matchup to Manatees

By Daily News staff

The Fort Myers Miracle were shut out Monday afternoon at Hammond Stadium by Brevard County pitcher Tim Dillard, who went the distance in the Manatees' 5-0 win.

Dillard threw only 81 pitches -- 58 for strikes -- during the game, and scattered eight Fort Myers hits.

The Miracle had only one opportunity to score when Denard Span singled with Brock Peterson on second. Peterson, the only Fort Myers player to reach second base during the game, was thrown out at home on the play.

Kyle Phillips and Span had three hits apiece for Fort Myers.

The Miracle used a pack of relievers -- Chris Schutt, Josh Gray, Tristan Crawford and Julio DePaula -- because the team had used two starters in a double-header against Vero Beach on Thursday.

Fort Myers is off today, but travels to Sarasota to play the Reds at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Nick Blackburn (5-2) will take the hill for the Miracle.