Flying Tigers use four-run second to win suspended game; Game two to be made up with doubleheader at 4 p.m. on Thursday
LAKELAND, Fla. — Both teams were expecting to play at least 15 innings of baseball on Wednesday, but had to settle for just eight. The Lakeland Flying Tigers captured Tuesday’s suspended game, 5-1, over the Daytona Tortugas, but game two never got underway and was postponed to Thursday, from Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Game two’s postponement will be made up as part of a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoon. Both contests will be seven innings in length. The second affair will start roughly 40 minutes after the initial game’s completion.
Wednesday began with the restart from Tuesday’s suspended game, as Daytona (24-33) started the day with a 1-0 lead over Lakeland (29-29) in the top of the second. The Tortugas scored a run in the first inning before the rain came on Tuesday courtesy of a LF Jamal O’Guinn (1-4, 2B, RBI, 2 SO) double.
However, Daytona’s lead did not last long on Wednesday, as Lakeland took the lead for good in the bottom of the second frame.
With the bases empty and two out, 1B Justice Bigbie (1-1, R, 2 BB) coaxed a walk. LF Carlos Mendoza (2-3, R, 2B) followed by laying a bunt down with the infield back. The ball was barehanded, but the throw sailed up the right-field line. Bigbie scored all the way from first, as Mendoza advanced to third on the single and two-base throwing error, tying the game at one.
RF Esney Chacon (1-3, R, RBI) put the Flying Tigers in front, 2-1, with a single to center and 3B Izaac Pacheco (1-3, R, BB) followed with a knock of his own to right. With runners at the corners, Pacheco swiped second to move into scoring position for 2B Cristian Santana (2-4, 2 RBI, 2 SO). The 18-year-old slapped a two-run single to center, extending Lakeland’s lead to three, 4-1.
Daytona’s best opportunity to score after the restart came in the third inning. RF Fidel Castro (1-4, 2 SO) and CF Jay Allen II (1-4, R) each singled to start the frame, but a double play ground ball to third and a ground out to first quelled the threat.
In the eighth, Lakeland added insurance with two outs. With the bases empty, SS Manuel Sequera (1-4, R, HR, RBI, SO) launched an offering onto the berm down the left-field line for a solo home run. His seventh home run of the season granted the Flying Tigers a four-run cushion, 5-1.
The Tortugas had the tying run in the on-deck circle in the ninth, but could not bring him to the plate. 1B Michel Triana (1-4, SO) started the ninth with a single and advanced to second on a one-out walk to 3B Austin Callahan (0-3, BB, 2 SO).
Lakeland summoned RHP Williander Moreno (0.2 IP, SO) from the bullpen to record the final two outs. The Venezuela native registered a pop up to short and a strikeout looking to end the game and secure his second save of the season.
Neither starter received a decision, as both had to settle for one-inning starts due to weather. Tortugas’ RHP Javi Rivera (1.0 IP, H, SO) threw 10 pitches before the rain came on Tuesday, while RHP Wilkel Hernández (1.0 IP, H, R, SO) was charged with an unearned run for the Flying Tigers.
RHP Garrett Burhenn (6.0 IP, 4 H, BB, 6 SO) emerged from the ‘pen to begin the restart for Lakeland and tossed six shutout innings to earn his third win of his professional career.
Daytona’s RHP José Franco (4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, BB, 4 SO) did not allow a run after the four-run second inning, but was still saddled with his third defeat.
The Tortugas will try and return to the win column on Thursday. RHP Chase Petty (0-2, 3.65) – Cincinnati’s No. 7 prospect per Baseball America — is expected to take the hill for Daytona in game one of tomorrow’s twinbill, while RHP Arij Fransen (2-5, 7.24) is projected to take the ball in game two. LHP Matt Walker (1-0, 4.50) projects to take the hill for Lakeland in the opener and RHP Nick Davila (3-5, 3.63) is scheduled to go in the nightcap. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 3:45 p.m. leading up to the 4 p.m. first pitch from Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
After the six-game road swing, the Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday, June 21, 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 Conviva, featuring special team store and concession stand deals for members, plus more. The series opener features Taco Tuesday 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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