After rain showers delayed the first pitch between the Miracle and Threshers for more than an hour, Clearwater scored in seven of nine innings to defeat Fort Myers 9-5 Sunday at Hammond Stadium. Rain subsided to allow six clean innings, but more rain arrived in the seventh for a second hour-long delay.

Clearwater took an early four-run lead in the first inning against Miracle starter Michael Tarsi. The first four batters all reached base and eventually scored.

The Miracle fought back in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs against Clearwater hurler Austin Hyatt. Chris Cates and Deibinson Romero picked up singles to set up two-out RBI hits by Chris Herrmann and Evan Bigley.

Clearwater added single runs in the next three innings, all aided by Miracle errors, which totaled five in the game.

Trailing 7-2 in the fifth, the Miracle again cut the deficit when Herrmann drove in two runs on a one-out double. He finished with a season-high three RBI in the game.

Tarsi (2-4) lasted five innings, giving up seven runs (four earned) for his fourth loss of the year.Hyatt could not escape the fifth inning for the first time this season and departed with a no-decision. Jon Valasquez (1-2), who picked up the final out of the fifth before pitching a perfect sixth, earned his first win of the year.

In the sixth, Clearwater went ahead 8-4 against Miracle reliever Tony Davis. After two quick outs, Davis walked two batters to set up an RBI double for Darin Ruf.

After play resumed in the seventh inning, the Threshers scored once again in the eight against Miracle reliever Loek Van Mil. The Miracle tacked on their final run of the game on a two-out RBI single by Paul Kelly in the ninth against Threshers closer Justin De Fratus.

The Miracle (16-20) and the Threshers (24-13) continue their four-game series Monday night. Liam Hendriks (1-0) will make his home debut for the Miracle with first pitch from Hammond Stadium set for 7:05 p.m.