Callihan ties career-high in RBI, Creal matches career-best in hits to end three-game slide
LAKELAND, Fla. — 2B Tyler Callihan tied a career-high with four runs batted in, while RF Ashton Creal matched a career-best with three hits, as the Daytona Tortugas snapped a three-game losing streak with a 12-8 victory over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Friday night from Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Daytona (25-35) jumped out in front early with a three-run first. CF Jay Allen II (0-5, R, BB, 3 SO) walked to start the game and advanced to second on a single from C Daniel Vellojín (2-5, 2 R, BB, 2 SO). On a 1-1 pitch, Callihan (2-6, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI, SO) rifled a three-run home run to right. The Neptune Beach, Fla. native’s second blast of the year put the Tortugas in front, 3-0.
SS Manuel Sequera (2-5, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 SO) put Lakeland (31-30) on the board in the bottom of the first with a solo home run to left. The 19-year-old’s eighth long ball of the campaign pulled the Flying Tigers within one, 3-1.
The Tortugas regained a three-run advantage in the top of the second. Creal (3-3, 2 R, 2 2B, RBI, BB) was plunked to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a ground out. Following a swipe of third, the New Lenox, Ill. resident made it a 4-1 contest when he scored on a wild pitch.
In the third, the Flying Tigers knotted up the score. 3B Izaac Pacheco (2-5, 2 R) reached with a one-out single, and 2B Cristian Santana (0-3, 2 R, BB, SO) was subsequently hit by a pitch. 1B Justice Bigbie (2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB) scalded a two-out knock to center, driving in a pair, before advancing to second on a missed catch error. CF José De La Cruz‘s (3-5, 2B, RBI, 2 SO) base-hit to right tied it at four, but he was tossed out at second to end the inning.
The sixth inning brought Daytona’s biggest offensive eruption of the season. 1B Yassel Pino (2-5, R, SO) roped a single to ignite the attack and took third on a two-bagger from Creal. DH Hayden Jones (1-3, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SO) stung a two-run knock to center, giving the Tortugas a 6-4 edge.
Jones would scoot to second on a ground out and again to third when Vellojín reached on a fielding error. After a pitching change, Callihan sent home his fourth run of the game with a worm burner into center field.
Daytona’s cushion increased to four, 8-4, when LF Jack Rogers (1-6, R, 2B, RBI, 3 SO)pounded an RBI double to left. A two-base throwing error off the bat of 3B Michel Triana (2-4, R, 3B, RBI, 2 BB) brought home another tally.
A two-RBI single to left from SS Steven Leyton (2-6, R, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 SO) gave the Tortugas an 11-4 advantage, while a double lined off the lumber of Creal capped Daytona’s season-best, eight-run frame.
Ahead 12-5 after a run-creating throwing error in the bottom of the sixth, the Flying Tigers made Daytona sweat in the bottom of the ninth.
Pacheco singled with two out and advanced two bases to third on a pair of wild pitches. Trailing a walk to Santana, Sequera clubbed his second home run of the game beyond the left-field fence. The infielder’s three-run clout — his ninth of the campaign — sliced the ‘Tugas edge to four, 12-8.
RHP Juan Abril (0.1 IP, H, SO) entered with the bases clear and finished off the contest. After a Bigbie single, the right-hander registered a swinging strikeout to close out the Tortugas’ win, snapping their 13-game road losing streak.
Neither starter received a decision on Friday. RHP Julian Aguiar (4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 SO) worked four innings for Daytona, while Lakeland’s RHP Jackson Jobe (4.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) did the same.
RHP Luis Mey (1.0 IP, SO) hurled a perfect inning of relief in the fifth, earning his third victory for the Tortugas. Flying Tigers’ RHP Carlos Marcano (1.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, BB) was saddled with his second defeat.
The Tortugas will attempt to make it two straight wins on Saturday. RHP Tanner Cooper (3-1, 3.00) is expected to take the hill for Daytona. RHP Jordan Marks (NR) is anticipated to make his Flying Tigers debut. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 5:45 p.m. leading up to the 6:00 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.
