Two home runs in the third inning powered the Daytona Cubs to a big lead Thursday night, but the Fort Myers Miracle did not go down quietly.

The Miracle bullpen silenced the Cubs over the final five innings while the offense mounted a comeback bid that fell short in a 7-5 loss to the Cubs at Hammond Stadium.

A leadoff solo home run by Brett Jackson and a grand slam homer by Kyler Burke four batters later boosted the Cubs to a 5-0 lead that expanded to 7-1 in the fourth inning, thanks to RBI singles by D.J. LeMahieu and Rebel Ridling. The barrage sent Miracle starting pitcher Blake Martin to an early shower charged with all seven runs (earned) over 3 2/3 innings.

The Miracle’s only run to that point was a solo home run by center fielder Joe Benson, his first of the season, in the bottom of the third.

The Miracle (17-23) started their comeback in the sixth with two runs, coming on a timely two-run, two-out double by second baseman Ramon Santana (2-for-4, 2RBI). Santana’s hit came off the first of four Cubs relievers, David Patton, who lasted just 2/3 of an inning.

The Miracle added single runs in the seventh and eighth to close the gap to 7-5 heading into the ninth. Estarlin De Los Santos (3-for-4) singled, stole second and scored on Evan Bigley’s RBI double with one out in the seventh. In the eighth, Santana ripped a two-out triple to the left-center field wall and Benson beat out a ground ball behind the third base bag down the line to drive in Santana with what proved to be the final run.

Miracle relievers Tony Davis (2 1/3 innings) , Billy Bullock (one inning) and Steve Blevins (two innings) blanked the Cubs on two hits and six strikeouts.

The Miracle went down in order in the ninth to end the game.

The Miracle look to end a three-game losing streak Friday night when they host the Cubs (17-24) at Hammond Stadium.

Daytona005 200 000 – 7 9 1

Fort Myers001 002 110 – 5 9 2

W – Raley. L – Martin. S – Sommer.

2B – LeMahieu (D), Ridling (D), Santana (FM), Bigley (FM). 3B – Santana (FM). HR – Jackson (D), Burke (D), Benson (FM).