Threshers score five in extra frame to take lid-lifter; doubleheader on Saturday at 5:05 p.m. to make up rain out
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. —It was a double-edged sword of bad news for Daytona on Friday evening. Clearwater scored five runs in the top of the eighth inning to tame Daytona, 5-0, in extra frames in the opener, but game two never started and was ultimately postponed due to the threat of further inclement weather in front of 971 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
As a result, both teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, August 20, with the first pitch of game one slated for 5:05 p.m. ET. Both contests will be seven innings in length. There will be a roughly 30-minute break in between the two games.
The gates are set to open at 4 p.m., one hour before the first pitch. Fans with tickets to Friday’s postponed game may redeem them at the Tortugas’ box office for any ticket (of equal or lesser value) to a Tortugas home game throughout the remainder of the 2022 regular season. Patrons may also redeem their tickets by calling the ‘Tugas at (386) 257-3172.
The Jonathan India bobblehead vouchers will be handed out to the first 1,000 fans when gates open at 4 p.m. ET.
Prior to Mother Nature getting involved, Daytona (14-29, 43-65) and Clearwater (16-29, 51-59) played a scoreless game that entered extra innings. In the added frame, however, the Threshers’ offense sprung to life.
Following a wild pitch that enabled the automatic runner to advance to third, C Ryan Leitch (2-3, R, RBI, SO) punched a two-strike pitch into left field for an RBI single, giving Clearwater a 1-0 advantage.
The Threshers managed to load the bases with one out after LF Troy Schreffler (0-2, R, SO) was plunked on an 0-2 pitch and 2B Alexeis Azuaje (2-3, R) slapped a one-base hit into left. SS Erick Brito (1-3, R, 3B, 3 RBI, SO) sent them all home with a triple into the right-center field gap, stretching the lead to 4-0.
After a pitching change, a wild pitch enabled Brito to score to cap the five-run, four-hit inning with Clearwater in the driver’s seat, 5-0.
Neither starter received a decision in the lid-lifter. RHP Tanner Cooper (3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 SO) twirled three scoreless innings for the Tortugas in his first start since being reinstated off the injured list last Friday. LHP Jordi Martínez (5.0 IP, 3 H, 6 SO) matched a season-high with six punchouts over five spotless frames for the Threshers.
Clearwater’s RHP Carlos Betancourt (2.0 IP, H, 3 SO) posted a pair of spotless innings out of the bullpen, earning his fourth win. Despite retiring the first 12 batters he faced in his initial four frames, RHP José Acuña (4.1 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 6 SO) was saddled with his first Single-A loss.
Friday’s scheduled game two starting pitcher — RHP Carson Rudd (1-0, 3.60) – is expected to get the ball for Daytona in game one, while RHP Julian Aguiar (7-7, 3.45) is slated to take the hill in the nightcap. Clearwater’s scheduled starter for Friday’s nightcap — LHP Jordan Fowler (2-0, 2.76) — is projected to get the ball in the lid-lifter. RHP Gunner Mayer (1-4, 4.75) — expects to start the finale.
Season ticket and multi-game plans are still 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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