Mike McCardell made his first start on the mound in more than a week Friday night as the Fort Myers Miracle hosted the Daytona Cubs at Hammond Stadium.

The rust showed as McCardell (7-5) gave up six earned runs on 11 hits in five innings. The Cubs beat the Miracle 8-6.

The Miracle had won three straight games entering Friday’s contest, including a 6-4 win over the Cubs Thursday. They dropped to 25-10 at Hammond Stadium this season.

The score was tied 5-5 after five innings, but a two-run surge in the sixth and one more run in the seventh handed Daytona ( 35-34, 1-1) a three-run lead. Jair Fernandez hit his second home run for the Miracle (44-27, 1-1) in the eighth, but it wasn’t enough.

Joe Testa, in his first appearance with Fort Myers since 2008 and first since his promotion from Beloit, gave up one run (unearned) on three hits in two innings. He allowed both runners he inherited to score. The left-hander walked one and struck out two. Pitcher Santos Arias gave up two hits in two innings but no runs.

Chris Parmelee led the Miracle at the plate. He went 3-for-5 with three RBI and a double in the losing effort. Joining him with multi-hit games were Jair Fernandez (2-for-4, HR) and Chris Cates (2-for-4).

The series continues Saturday when the Miracle host the Cubs at 7:05 p.m. Steve Hirschfeld will start for the Miracle.