Austin Callahan and Yerlin Confidan collect multi-hit games in loss
JUPITER, Fla. — 3B Austin Callahan and RF Yerlin Confidan each recorded multi-hit games for Daytona, but Palm Beach put up two runs in the fifth to take the lead for good, as the Cardinals claimed a 3-2 victory over the Tortugas on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Scoreless through two, Daytona (19-37, 48-73) drew first blood in the top of the third. With one out, 1B Yassel Pino (1-4, R) scooted into scoring position on a two-base throwing error, ultimately taking third with two out on a balk. 2B Trey Faltine‘s (1-3, R, RBI, 2 BB, SO) run-scoring single into left gave the Tortugas a 1-0 advantage.
In the fourth, Palm Beach (34-23, 64-57) tied it up. 1B Thomas Francisco (1-2, R, 2B, 2 BB) started the frame with a soft fly ball into shallow right field that would glace off the lunging outfielder’s mitt for a double. 3B R.J. Yeager (1-3, BB, SO) promptly roped a single up the middle, but a diving stop by Faltine kept it in the infield, saving a run.
With one out, RF Chris Rotondo (1-4, RBI, SO) hit a soft tapper that never left the dirt of the batter’s circle. The only play for C Cade Hunter was to first base to get the sure out, allowing Francisco to score, tying the game at one.
Palm Beach snared the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth. LF Alex Iadisernia (1-2, R, BB) slapped a one-out single to center and stole second base on a strikeout. On a two-strike pitch, DH Joshua Báez (1-4, R, RBI, 2 SO) slapped a ground ball through the left side of the infield for a single. Iadisernia raced home to score with the go-ahead run, giving the Cardinals a 2-1 lead.
After a pitching change, Báez was picked off first base. On his way to second the throw over to first trickled toward the Cardinals’ bullpen in right, enabling the 2021 second-round pick to advance to third. On ball four to Francisco, the pitch shuffled away from the catcher allowing Báez to score on a wild pitch.
Daytona climbed back within one in the sixth. Faltine coaxed a leadoff walk and rolled to third on a looping single to center by Confidan (2-4, SO) before a sacrifice fly to center from SS Edwin Arroyo (1-3, 2B, RBI, SO), pulling the Tortugas down by a tally, 3-2.
The Tortugas’ best chance to regain the lead came in the top of the seventh. LF Blake Dunn (1-3, BB) stung a single with one retired and took second base on Callahan’s (2-5) knock up the middle. Following a walk to Faltine that loaded the bases, RHP Gustavo Rodríguez (1.0 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 SO) registered a swinging strikeout to end the threat.
RHP Hancel Ríncon (6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, ER, BB, SO) recorded his third-straight victory and third of the season for Palm Beach, twirling six innings with one earned run allowed. RHP Andrew Marrero (1.0 IP, BB, SO) worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth to pick up his 10th save of the campaign.
RHP Carson Rudd (4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) tied a season-best with five strikeouts and posted a season-high 4.2 innings on the hill, but the 23-year-old was saddled with his first Florida State League defeat.
The Tortugas will try and snap the Redbirds’ seven-game winning streak on Saturday. RHP Andrew Moore (2-1, 2.54) — the Reds’ No. 28 prospect per Baseball America — is scheduled to make his second career start for Daytona. Palm Beach is projected to counter with RHP Yonael Domínguez (0-2, 6.05). 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 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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