Miracle fall to Cubs, 6-4
DAYTONA BEACH – The Fort Myers Miracle led 4-0 in the fourth inning, but the Daytona Cubs pushed across six consecutive runs to claim a 6-4 victory Monday night.
The Miracle chased Cubs starter Nick Struck after sending their entire order to the plate in a three-run third inning. Steve Liddle hit the first of two doubles to open the inning, but Stuck retired the next two hitters.
Brian Dozier then started a two-out rally, driving in Liddle with an RBI single. After Dozier stole second and Nick Romero walked, Anderson Hidalgo singled home the second run. Danny Rams pushed across another with a base hit to left to give the Miracle a 3-0 lead.
The Miracle could have had more. Josmil Pinto stepped in with the bases loaded, and hit a sharp line drove down the third base line, but Dustin Harrington made a diving grab to save one or more runs for the Cubs.
The Miracle added their fourth run in the fourth against Cubs reliever Dae-Eun Rhee. Liddle doubled and James Beresford later hit a sac-fly.
Miracle starter Edgar Ibarra cruised through the first three innings, but ran into trouble in the fourth. After loading the bases with one out, Ibarra got Mario Mercedes to fly out to center fielder Aaron Hicks, which scored one run from third, but Hicks’ throw to third rolled into the dugout, allowing a second run to score.
With the Miracle advantage cut in half, the Cubs loaded the bases for the second time in the sixth inning, but with no one outs. Cubs right fielder Michael Burgess delivered a two-run double to the left field wall to tie it 4-4.
Miracle manager Jake Mauer called on reliever Dakota Watts to preserve the tie, but two subsequent passed balls on catcher Josmil Pinto allowed the go-ahead run.
The Cubs (27-11) tacked on another run in the seventh against Watts, and their bullpen shut the door.
The Cubs now are 26-0 when leading after the seventh inning.
The Miracle (20-18) look to even the series in the finale Tuesday.


