Miracle Claw Back Again, Top Cubs

Fort Myers scored five of the final six runs on Thursday to trump Daytona 7-5 at The Jack.

By Robbie Aaron

July 18, 2014

Daytona Beach, FL - The Daytona Cubs fell to the resilient Fort Myers Miracle 7-5 on Thursday night at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach.

Cubs 1B Dan Vogelbach launched a monstrous two-run home run onto the tennis courts over the right field fence in the third to put Daytona up 4-2, but Fort Myers scored five of the next six runs to earn the victory.

With the game tied 5-5 in the seventh, Miracle SS Jorge Polanco led off the frame with a triple to right-center field and scored the go-ahead run on a DH Adam Brett Walker II groundout to the third.

Fort Myers bolstered its lead to 7-5 with a RF Byron Buxton home run in the ninth that landed on the left field batting cages.

The Cubs opened up the scoring in the first inning aided by two singles and a Vogelbach sacrifice fly, but the Miracle scored two in the second to take the lead. The game was eventually tied 2-2, 4-4 and 5-5.

Vogelbach finished 2-for-3 with the home run and three RBIs, and has a team-leading nine home runs and 49 RBIs.

Newest Daytona Cubs player LF Kyle Schwarber singled in his first two plate appearances and finished 2-for-4 with a run scored.

RF Bijan Rademacher drew a walk in the first inning that extended his consecutive games on-base streak to 28 straight.

Daytona starter LHP Nathan Dorris took a no-decision after tossing 4.2 innings and allowing five runs (all earned) on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

RHP Michael Jensen (L, 4-4) worked 2.1 innings in relief of Dorris, but allowed the go-ahead run in the seventh so he was tagged with the loss.

LHP Austin Kirk pitched a scoreless eighth and allowed the home run to Buxton in the ninth.

2B Wes Darvill, who made several fantastic plays in the field, and 3B Jordan Hankins both doubled for the Cubs, and C Willson Contreras tripled.

With the loss, the Cubs fall to 41-52 on the season and 15-10 in the second half. Daytona and Fort Myers are scheduled to play game three of the four-game series on Friday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.