Julian Aguiar tosses 5.0-perfect innings, as Daytona routs St. Lucie, 9-2
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — After dropping the first two contests of the season, RHP Julian Aguiar and the Daytona offense made sure the losing streak didn’t extend to three. The 20-year-old right-hander hurled 5.0-perfect innings in his team debut, while offense sent 11 men to the plate in a seven-run sixth, as the Tortugas throttled the St. Lucie Mets, 9-2, in front of 1,523 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Sunday evening.
Much like the season opener on Friday, Daytona (1-2) wasted no time denting the scoreboard. CF Jay Allen II (2-2, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3 BB) ignited the home first with a walk and immediately came around to score on a double off the left-field fence by RF Yerlin Confidan (2-3, 2 R, 2B, RBI, 2 BB). After a wild pitch advanced the runner to third, 3B Michel Triana (1-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 SO) lofted a sacrifice fly to deep right, stretching the ‘Tugas lead to 2-0.
That was more than enough run support for Aguiar (5.0 IP, 7 SO). The 2021 12th-round selection faced 15 batters and retired them all, as the Tortugas carried a combined perfect game through 5.2 innings before a walk to the Mets’ C José Rivera brought it to an end in the top of the sixth. DH Alex Ramirez (2-4, R, 3B, RBI) followed with a single to halt the combined no-hitter.
With the no-no in the rearview, Daytona put the game on ice in their half of the sixth. DH Danny Lantigua (0-2, R, 2 BB, 2 SO) started the rally with a one-out walk and LF Justice Thompson (1-3, R, BB, 2 SO) subsequently singled to center. With runners at the corners, a passed ball enabled Lantigua to cross the plate, stretching the home lead to three.
The Tortugas loaded the bases with two away after a pair of free passes to SS Gus Steiger (0-3, R, BB, SO) and C Andruw Salcedo (0-3, R, BB, 2 SO), setting the stage for Allen. Immediately following a wild pitch that pushed the advantage to four, the 19-year-old garnered the first two RBI of his Daytona career on a single to right. Triana tacked on a run-producing double and 1B Ruben Ibarra (1-5, RBI, 2 SO) tallied an RBI single to cap the seven-run frame and put Daytona in the driver’s seat, 9-0.
St. Lucie (2-1) managed to break up the shutout bid in the eighth inning. Ramirez brought home 1B Raúl Beracierta (1-3, R) on a triple into the gap in right-center field and later scored on a knock up the middle by CF Stanley Consuegra (2-4, RBI, SO).
Aguiar’s immaculate performance over 5.0 frames enabled him to pick up his first victory of the season and his fourth in six professional career appearances. RHP Arij Fransen (2.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) followed by striking out three, while LHP Jayvien Sandridge (1.2 IP, 3 SO) retired all five hitters he faced to close out the win for the ‘Tugas.
The Mets’ second-round selection from last year’s MLB draft — RHP Calvin Ziegler (3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) — settled in after a bumpy start, but was still saddled with the defeat in his pro debut.
Following the league-wide off day on Monday, the Tortugas will pack up for a six-game road trip against the Palm Beach Cardinals, the Florida State League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, starting on Tuesday evening. Neither team has announced a probable starter for the series opener. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:15 p.m. leading up to the 6:30 p.m. first pitch from Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
After the six-game road swing, the Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday, April 19, to open up a series against the Bradenton Marauders, the Florida State League affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. It will be the first Breast Cancer Awareness Nightof the season presented by Radiology Associates Imaging. The Tortugas will don special pink-clad uniforms that will be auctioned off at the end of the season with all proceeds to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. It is also the first Silver Sluggers Night of the campaign presented by Conviva, featuring special team store, concession stand deals for members, and more. The series opener also marks the return of Taco Tuesday to Daytona Beach with options at the concession stands starting at just $3.
Season tickets, multi-game plans, group packages, and single-game tickets are currently available and can be purchased online at www.daytonatortugas.com or by calling the Tortugas’ Ticket Office at (386) 257-3172.
ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGAS
The Daytona Tortugas are the Single-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of Minor League Baseball’s Florida State League. The Tortugas play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in downtown Daytona Beach, Fla. 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.
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