Cade Hunter picks up two hits, RBI in debut; Héctor Rodríguez brings in two
JUPITER, Fla. — C Cade Hunter garnered two hits with exit velocities in excess of 100 mph during his debut, while CF Héctor Rodríguez collected two more RBI for Daytona. However, Palm Beach pushed forward and captured their fifth-straight victory, toppling the Tortugas, 6-3, on Wednesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Scoreless through two and a half, Palm Beach (32-23, 62-57) drew first blood in the bottom of the third. With the bases empty and two out, CF Joshua Báez (2-4, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB, SO) pounded a 1-1 pitch beyond the batter’s eye in center field for a solo home run. The 2021 second-round pick’s third home run of the season put the Cardinals in front, 1-0.
An inning later, Palm Beach continued to tack on. 3B R.J. Yeager (2-4, BB, SO) reached on a looping infield single on the first pitch of the inning and appeared to advance from first to third on a knock up the middle by C Leonardo Bernal (0-4, R, SO). However, Yeager staggered around second on his way to third, prompting Daytona to appeal that he missed the base on his way by. The base umpire ruled Yeager did indeed miss the base for the inning’s first out.
Alas, that would not quell the Beach Birds. DH Chris Rotondo (0-1, R, RBI, 2 BB, SO) was plunked with a pitch, and 2B Brody Moore (2-4, RBI) and SS Jeremy Rivas (1-4, RBI, SO) garnered consecutive RBI singles to extend the home squad’s lead to 3-0.
Daytona (19-35, 48-71) started to mount a comeback in the sixth. 3B Austin Callahan (2-4, R, SO) laced a one-out base-hit into left-center and scooted around to third on Hunter’s (2-4, R, RBI, SO) first knock, a single up the middle. A walk to DH Jack Rogers (0-3, BB, 3 SO) loaded the bases and produced a pitching change.
On the first pitch from the new arm, Rodríguez (1-3, 2 RBI, BB, SO) dunked a single down the left-field line. Two runs scored on the 18-year-old’s one-base hit, pulling the Tortugas within one, 3-2.
Palm Beach propelled themselves back in front by three with another rally in the bottom of the seventh. CF Victor Scott (2-5, R, 3B, RBI) poked a one-out single to center and motored around to third base on Báez’s worm burner up the middle. 1B Thomas Francisco (1-5, RBI) clanged an RBI knock to center, putting the Cardinals up a pair, 4-2. Walks to Yeager and Rotondo chased in another tally, giving Palm Beach a 5-2 edge.
In the eighth, both teams traded barbs. 2B Braylin Minier (1-4, R, SO) roped a 107 mph line drive over the second baseman’s head for a leadoff single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After moving to third on Callahan’s base hit to center, Hunter stung a sharp ground ball into right. Minier scored and Callahan rolled to third, but the fifth-round selection was thrown out attempting to stretch it to a double.
The Redbirds promptly snatched that run back in the bottom of the frame. LF Alex Iadisernia (1-3, R, 2B, BB) snapped a double down the line in left with one out and took third on a passed ball before easily scoring on Scott’s triple over the center fielder’s ahead.
Daytona was able to bring the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but could not complete the comeback. LF Wendell Marrero (0-3, BB, SO) and 1B Yassel Pino (1-3, BB, SO) coaxed four-pitch walks with two out, but RHP Andrew Marrero (1.0 IP, 2 BB, 3 SO) whiffed the game’s final batter to secure his ninth save and Palm Beach’s 6-3 win.
RHP Tink Hence (4.0 IP, H, BB, 6 SO) shined once more for the Cardinals. The 20-year-old posted four shutout innings for the Beach Birds, ultimately falling an inning shy of earning the win. RHP Roy García (1.2 IP, H, 3 SO) earned his fourth triumph after falling a pitch shy of posting an immaculate inning in the seventh.
Despite yielding only one run over three frames, RHP Tanner Cooper (3.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, BB, SO) was saddled with his fifth defeat for Daytona. LHP Bryce Hubbart (2.0 IP, 3 SO) — the Cincinnati Reds’ third-round pick — faced one over the minimum in his second appearance with the Tortugas, striking out three.
The Tortugas will look to battle back in the series on Thursday night. RHP José Acuña (0-1, 2.32) is scheduled to take the mound in game three of the set for Daytona. Palm Beach is projected to counter with the Florida State League leader in wins, RHP Trent Baker (9-7, 3.12). 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.
The Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday, September 6, to open up their final homestand of the 2022 regular season against the Tampa Tarpons, the Florida State League affiliate of the New York Yankees. The series opens with another Shell Yeah Cookout. The $15 add-on includes the full “Bases Loaded” menu during a 90-minute buffet with hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork, baked beans, cookies, Pepsi products, and more. It is also a Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Radiology Associates Imaging. The Tortugas will don unique 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. Silver Sluggers Night presented by Conviva is a part of the festivities. The exclusive 60-and-older club features deals at the team store, concession stands for members, and more. The series opener also marks a Taco Tuesday with options at the concession stands starting at just $3.
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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