Miracle blank Manatees 1-0

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MICHAEL PISTELLA Miracle third baseman Niko Goodrum makes contact against Bradenton Tuesday night at Hammond Stadium. The Miracle host Brevard County this weekend. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com under Latest Galleries in the Sports folder.

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MICHAEL PISTELLA Fort Myers Miracle right fielder Chad Christensen (12) hustles down the line for an infield hit Tuesday against Bradenton. The Miracle won the three-game series 2-1 by downing the Marauders 7-2 Wednesday night. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com under Latest Galleries in the Sports folder.

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MICHAEL PISTELLA Fort Myers Miracle second baseman Logan Wade (4) completes a routine infield groundout with a throw to first base Tuesday night. The Miracle took the series 2-1 and host Brevard County in the final four games of the current homestand this weekend. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com under Latest Galleries in the Sports folder.

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Brett Lee hurled eight scoreless innings and Zack Granite delivered the game-winning single in the bottom of the eighth inning to earn the Fort Myers Miracle a 1-0 victory over the Brevard County Manatees Thursday night at Hammond Stadium.

Lee (1-2) scattered seven hits and stranded six base runners while working out of multiple jams. Brevard County’s largest threat came early in the third inning.

Omar Garcia reached on a bunt single and then moved to third on a double by Chris McFarland. With runners at second and third, Lee struck out Taylor Brennen for the first out. Lee then got Clint Coulter to hit a bouncer to third baseman Niko Goodrum. Garcia raced home and Goodrum fired to catcher Mitch Garver to apply the tag for the second out. Lee then induced a ground ball to short from Victor Roache to end the inning.

With the game still scoreless, Lee saved his best for last. In the top of the eighth, Lee mowed down McFarland, Brennen and Coulter on strikes. In eight shutout innings, Lee totaled six punch outs and walked just one.

The Miracle finally broke through on the Manatees after they went to the bullpen. Manatees starter Brandon Woodruff hurled seven innings without allowing a run, giving up two hits and striking out a pair. Woodruff received a no decision.

Side-armer Tyler Spurlin entered in the bottom of the eighth. Tanner Vavra greeted Spurlin (1-1) with a double down the first base line. The ball bounced pass Coulter in right field and Vavra advanced to third on the error. With the Manatees infield drawn-in, Granite chopped a single through the right side and Vavra crossed home plate for the only run of the game.

Lee gave way to the bullpen in the ninth and Brandon Peterson picked up right where Lee left off. Peterson fanned Roache, Garrett Cooper and Cameron Garfield to earn his first save of the year in a perfect ninth. The Miracle combined to punch out the side in the final two innings and six of the last seven Manatee outs were strikeouts.

The Miracle (20-21) host the Manatees (17-23) in the second game of the series at 6:05 p.m. Friday.