Jay Allen II doubles twice, records second-straight multi-hit game in defeat
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — OF Jay Allen II continued his remarkable return to his home county on Sunday with a pair of doubles to finish the week-long set with a .333 clip (6-18). However, St. Lucie hung crooked numbers on the board in the third, fifth, and sixth innings, as the Mets bested the Daytona Tortugas, 9-2, in the series finale at Clover Park.
Scoreless into the bottom of the third, St. Lucie (14-7) had their first two batters of the inning reach on walks. On the first pitch he saw, CF Alex Ramirez (1-5, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI, 2 SO) punished a ball beyond the Jim Beam Bourbon Bar on the boardwalk in left for a three-run home run. The 19-year-old’s first long ball of the season put the Mets ahead, 3-0.
Daytona (9-12) chipped away with a run of their own in the fourth. 3B Michel Triana (0-3, R, BB), 1B Ruben Ibarra (1-2, RBI, 2 BB), and LF Jamal O’Guinn (0-3, BB, SO) each earned walks to load the bases. SS Gus Steiger (1-2, RBI, 2 BB) smacked a hard grounder up the middle that was deflected by the pitcher and slowed down on the infield grass. The Mets’ right-hander tried to pick it up and shovel the ball to first, but the toss arrived late. Steiger was credited with an RBI single to pull the Tortugas within two, 3-1.
After a double play ended Daytona’s fourth-inning rally, St. Lucie scratched two more across in the fifth. Following a leadoff walk to LF Stanley Consuegra (2-3, R, 2B, 2 BB), SS Shervyen Newton (3-5, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, SO) lofted a fly ball to left that just snuck beyond the outfield wall for a two-run homer. The Curaçao native’s third home run of the series and season stretched the Mets’ cushion to four, 5-1.
In the sixth, the orange and blue put the game out of reach. A fielder’s choice off the bat of Ramirez chased home a tally and a subsequent base-hit from Newton added another to put St. Lucie ahead, 7-1. An infield single off the bat of DH Carlos Dominguez (2-5, 2 RBI, 2 SO) chased home two more runs to cap the Mets’ four-score frame.
The Tortugas managed one last run in the eighth. Allen II (2-3, R, 2 2B, BB) continued his stellar series with a one-out double into right-center, his second of the day. Two batters later, Ibarra ripped a grounder that rolled to the left of the diving shortstop and into the outfield for a hit. Allen II scored easily, making it 9-2.
RHP Dominic Hamel (5.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 5 BB, 6 SO) permitted only one run on two hits over five innings, earning his first professional win for St. Lucie, despite yielding five walks.
Despite only surrendering a three-run home run in the third, Daytona’s RHP José Franco (3.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) was saddled with his first defeat of the year.
The Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday, May 3, to open up a series against the Jupiter Hammerheads, the Florida State League affiliate of the Miami Marlins. It will be a Breast Cancer Awareness Night 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 a Silver Sluggers Night by Labcorp, featuring special team store, concession stand deals for members, and more. The series opener features Taco Tuesday with options at the concession stands starting at just $3. Gates open at 6 p.m. ET.
The Tortugas have not announced a probable starter for Tuesday’s lid-lifter. The Hammerheads are expected to give the ball to LHP Luis Palacios (1-0, 2.65). Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:50 p.m. leading up to the 7:05 p.m. first pitch from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
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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