Fort Myers Miracle pitcher Steve Hirschfeld threw a strong game Thursday night, but the lack of offense resulted in a 2-0 loss to the host Clearwater Threshers in the series opener.

Hirschfeld went six innings and allowed just three hits. He struck out seven.

Clearwater’s Darren Byrd scattered four hits in eight shutout innings.

Miracle reliever Dakota Watts exited in the eighth with two runners on and the score still 0-0. Lefty Joe Testa inherited the runners, walked one to load the bases, and gave up a single out to Freddy Galvis, bringing in two.

Each of the Miracle’s 4-5-6-7 hitters in the lineup collected one hit. The top of the order was a combined 0-for-10.

The Miracle dropped to 16-18 in the second half of the Florida State League season. They’re 59-44 overall this season.

Game two of the series against the Threshers is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday night.