MICHAEL PISTELLA Fort Myers Miracle shortstop Brian Dozier makes contact in Wednesday’s game against the Brevard County Manatees at Hammond Stadium.

A strong outing by the bullpen and a hit batsman sealed a 6-5 win for the Fort Myers Miracle over the Brevard County Manatees Wednesday night at Hammond Stadium.

Manatee starter Maverick Lasker issued five walks to start the first inning, resulting in two Miracle runs. Lasker failed to record an out before being removed by Manatees manager Jeff Isom. Replacement Evan Anundsen quieted the rally by giving up an RBI fielder’s choice to Anderson Hidalgo after entering the game with the bases loaded and no outs.

Leading 3-0, Miracle starter Tom Stuifbergen surrendered a three-run homer to Manatee right fielder D’Vontray Richardson in the second inning. In the third, Stuifbergen was roughed up again with back-to-back RBI hits by Hunter Morris and Khristopher Davis to give the Manatees a 5-3 advantage.

Outhitting the Miracle 10-1 heading to the bottom of the fourth, the Miracle needed a spark and a plug. The bullpen stopped the bleeding with three stellar efforts. Lefty Andrew Albers took over in the fourth and pitched three scoreless innings, giving up one hit.

The spark came in the bottom of the fifth when Hidalgo and Ramon Santana led off with back-to-back singles. Steve Liddle (3-for-4) followed with a run-scoring base hit through the left side. Two batters later, Brian Dozier smacked a line drive to center with two out to score Santana and tie the game 5-5.

Blake Martin came on in the seventh and struck out four in 2 2/3 innings. In the eighth, Aaron Hicks led off with an infield single and James Beresford followed with a sacrifice bunt. Dozier reached on a bloop hit to center and Nick Romero was intentionally walked. With the bases loaded, Nate Hanson was plunked on the left shoulder to force in the eventual game-winning run. Picking up two RBI without a hit, Hanson how has 21 on the season.

Martin retired the first two hitters in the ninth, but Jake Mauer called on right-hander Dakota Watts who needed only four pitches to pick up his seventh save.

The Miracle (22-18) gained a game on the first-place St. Lucie Mets and now sit three games out. The Miracle send Matt Schuld to the mound in Thursday’s game with the Manatees.