DUNEDIN – In a back-and-forth game that featured five lead changes, the Fort Myers Miracle pulled ahead for good with a two-run ninth, and reliever Bruce Pugh nailed down the save stranding the tying run at third base in the bottom of the ninth for a 6-5 victory Wednesday over the Dunedin Blue Jays.

With the score tied 4-4 in the ninth, Miracle third baseman Anderson Hidalgo led off the inning with a triple down the first-base line against Dunedin closer Wes Etheridge. With the infield drawn in, James Beresford put the Miracle ahead with an RBI single to left. Two batters later, Oswaldo Arcia added a much-need insurance run with an RBI single.

Pugh entered in the ninth and gave up a one-out double to Sean Ochinko. After striking out Brian Van Kirk, Kevin Ahrens hit a high popup down the third-base line and it fell off the tip of Beresford’s glove, ruled an error. After a wild pitch moved Ahrens to third, Pugh struck out Jon Talley to preserve the win. It is the third save of the week, and 12th of the season for Pugh.

The Miracle trailed 4-3 heading into the eighth and rallied with two outs. Dan Rohlfing singled to keep the inning going and stole second. After a walk to Steve Liddle, Etheridge was summoned from the pen. With two outs, Josmil Pinto lined a hit into left field to even the score for the second time.

Etheridge (1-1) took his first loss of the season after giving up the two ninth inning runs.

Leading 4-3, the Miracle couldn’t hold back the Jays in the bottom of the inning. After a leadoff walk, Miracle manager Jake Mauer called upon Clinton Dempster. After striking out the first hitter he faced, Dempster gave up a double to Chris Hopkins. Rohlfing in left threw a perfect relay to Beresford, who cut down Aherns at home plate, preserving the tie.

After another walk, Ivan Contreras rapped a double off the left-field wall to tie the game at 4-4.

Dempster (1-0), making his third appearance for the Miracle, was credited with the win after stranding two runners in scoring position to end the eighth.

Ramon Santana gave the Miracle their first lead with a two-run home run in the fourth. The Jays regained a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the inning, using four consecutive hits.

The Miracle (14-12, 48-48) play their fifth game of an eight-game road trip Thursday when they start a four-game series in Clearwater.