Brandon Leyton extends hitting streak to seven, as Cardinals best Tortugas, 6-1
JUPITER, Fla. — For the second-straight game, a fourth-inning grand slam proved the be the deciding factor. After CF Mike Antico clubbed a four-RBI home run in the fourth in game two on Friday, 3B Osvaldo Tovalín mimicked his clout with a grand slam of his own on Saturday, as the Palm Beach Cardinals clipped the Daytona Tortugas, 6-1, on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
With the bases empty and one out in Palm Beach’s (37-79) half of the fourth, DH Brady Whalen (2-4, RBI, SO) singled to left and moved to third on a double off the right-field wall by C Carlos Soto (2-3, R, 2B, RBI, BB).
Following a walk to LF Patrick Romeri (0-1, R, 2 BB), SS Mack Chambers (0-3, R, BB) hit a sharp grounder to first that was stopped on a great diving snare by 1B Ruben Ibarra. The 2021 fourth-round pick popped up and threw home for a force out and the second out of the frame.
On the precipice of escaping the jam, Tovalín (1-4, R, HR, 4 RBI, 2 SO) fell behind in the count with two strikes. However, the left-handed swinger smashed a 1-2 offering beyond the fence in right field for a grand slam. Tovalín’s second professional home run placed the Cardinals ahead 4-0.
An inning later, Antico (1-4, R, 2B, SO) hit a one-out blooper that dunked into right field for a hit. The University of Texas alum raced towards second base as the throw to the infield sailed over the second baseman’s head, allowing Antico to take third. After a walk to 1B L.J. Jones (1-3, R, 2B, BB), Whalen and Soto poked back-to-back run-scoring singles to stretch the advantage to six.
Daytona (59-60) broke up the shutout bid in the sixth. 2B Brandon Leyton (2-4, R, 2B, SO) doubled off the wall in left to start the inning and scooted to third on an infield single by SS José Torres (1-4).
Following a foul pop to first, 3B Elly De La Cruz (0-3, RBI, BB, 2 SO) hit a sharp ground ball to first that was halted by a diving L.J. Jones. De La Cruz was retired at first, but Leyton scored to pull the Tortugas within 6-1.
RHP Dionys Rodríguez (5.0 IP, 3 H, BB, 4 SO) was superb for Palm Beach. The Cardinals’ No. 25 prospect per Baseball America tossed 5.0 shutout frames to earn his fourth win of the year.
After 3.0 spotless frames, Daytona RHP Frainger Aranguren (4.0 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, SO) wilted a tad in the fourth. The 24-year-old allowed all four of his runs in the fourth, suffering his eighth loss of the campaign.
The Tortugas will look to finish the year on a winning note with RHP Gabriel Aguilera (0-2, 4.12) anticipated to make the start in the season finale. RHP Michael McGreevy (0-0, 7.20) — St. Louis’ No. 6 farmhand per MLB.com and 2021 first-round pick — is scheduled to take the hill for the Cardinals in the finale. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 9:45 a.m. leading up to the 10:00 a.m. first pitch from Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGAS
The Daytona Tortugas are the Low-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of Minor League Baseball’s Low-A Southeast. The Tortugas play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in downtown Daytona Beach. Jackie Robinson Ballpark also plays host to Bethune-Cookman University, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark Museum, and many community events and initiatives of all sizes throughout the year.
