First day of May not kind to FSL's Miracle

By SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-PRESS

The month of May didn't start the way April ended for the Fort Myers Miracle, as they lost to the Lakeland Tigers 8-1 on Sunday afternoon at the Lee County Sports Complex.

The loss slipped Fort Myers back into second place by a half-game behind Lakeland in the Florida State League's Western Division.

For the second consecutive game, the Miracle gave up runs to the Tigers in the first inning. An infield single by leadoff man Juan Francia, followed by a walk to Vincent Blue, set the table for a two-run double by Brent Clevlen. Two outs later, Clevlen scored on an RBI single by Kody Kirkland.

The Miracle got their lone run in the fourth on a solo homer to left field by Kyle Geiger. It was Geiger's second home run of the season and the first homer hit by a Miracle player at home in 2005.

Geiger finished the day 2-for-4, with the homer, RBI and a run scored.

Lakeland answered right back in the fifth on a solo homer by Garth McKinney.

Miracle starter Scott Tyler went five innings, allowing four runs on five hits while walking two and striking out four.

Fort Myers managed just five hits and had only three runners reach as far as second base.

The teams will wrap up their series at 7 tonight at the Lee County Sports Complex.

The Miracle will send right-hander Adam Harben (2-1, 1.86 ERA) to the mound against Tigers right-hander Jordan Tata (1-0, 1.59 ERA).