FSL1 Daytona Tortugas

Cubs surge past Miracle in 7-4 win

Published on July 31, 2005 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Daytona Tortugas News Release


FORT MYERS, Fla-Not even a late afternoon shower could put a damper on the Daytona Cubs chances of ending the road trip on a high note Sunday.

In Game 4 of a four-game series against the Fort Myers Miracle at Hammond Stadium, the Cubs outlasted a 41-minute rain delay and a late Miracle rally as they hung on to win the finale by a score of 7-4.

Cubs righty Randy Wells (6-2) got the nod and logged 5.2 innings of two-run six hit ball as he struck out four to notch his sixth victory and lower his ERA to 3.48.

At the plate Daytona relied on a pair of solo homeruns from infielders Issmael Salas and Brian Dopirak, as well as another three hit effort from J.J. Johnson who went 3-for-5 with a run scored on the afternoon.

Miracle lefty Justin Jones (4-2) was charged with the loss after giving up five earned runs on 10 hits in six innings of work. Jones, a former Cubs farmhand, ironically was facing many of his former teammates on the exact one-year anniversary to the day from when he was traded to the Twins organization on July 31, 2004 in part of a four-team deal that landed Nomar Garciaparra and Matt Murton with the Cubs.

With the victory the Cubs salvaged a series split and won the overall season series with Fort Myers 5-3.

Two Cubs who highlighted the season series against the Miracle were left fielder Paul O'Toole and southpaw reliever Clay Rapada. O'Toole singled in the fourth inning Sunday to bring his batting average against Fort Myers to .455 with 10 hits in 22 official at-bats in six games of action. Rapada pitched the final two innings on Sunday and has now logged five innings against the Miracle in '05 without giving up an earned run and striking out nine.

The win for Daytona also lifted their second half record to 14-22 as they continue their efforts to climb out of the Eastern Division cellar.

The Cubs will enjoy a rare day off on Monday and then usher in the Clearwater Threshers for a four-game series beginning on Tuesday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Daytona will send lefty Chris Shaver (0-0 1.50 ERA) to the mound to make his second Florida State League start of 2005.

First pitch of Game 1 is slated for 7:05 p.m. EST.

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Florida State League Stories from July 31, 2005


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