CLEARWATER – The Fort Myers Miracle lost their seventh straight game Thursday night, falling 14-13 in a back-and-forth shootout with the Clearwater Threshers.

It was the longest nine-inning game the Miracle have played this season at 3 hours, 53 minutes. The game featured five lead changes, and the teams combined for 26 hits. The Miracle bullpen gave up 10 runs and blew two different four-run leads in the seventh and eighth innings.

Dakota Watts (1-2) took the loss, surrendering the final two hits and go-ahead run in the eighth inning. Derrick Loop (1-1) was the winner, pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

The Miracle led 8-4 in the seventh, but the Threshers pushed across five runs against reliever Blake Martin. Only one run was earned with four scoring because of two errors.

Trailing 9-8, the Miracle responded with a 10-batter, five-run inning in the top of the eighth. After Nate Hanson’s RBI groundout tied the game, Tobias Streich put the Miracle ahead with a clutch bases-loaded two-run single. Brian Dozier laced a second bases-loaded two-run single, but it was enough.

Ahead 13-9, Michael Allen gave up two runs (four earned) on three hits in the bottom of the eighth. Darin Ruf clubbed the game-winning double with two outs in the eighth inning. He finished with five RBI.

The Threshers won despite their pitching staff issuing 12 walks to go along with 12 hits. The 13 runs scored by the Miracle ties a season high.

The Miracle (16-23) continue their series in Clearwater Friday night.