Daytona withstands late Jupiter push for second straight night
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Beau Blanchard allowed one earned run over a career-high 4.0 innings and earned his first career win as the Daytona Tortugas withstood an eighth-inning push to defeat the Jupiter Hammerheads 6-4 on Wednesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
Daytona (10-6, 39-43) won their second in a row over Jupiter (7-9, 37-45) as the pitching staff allowed just one walk while taking advantage of seven free passes and two hit batters from the Hammerheads.
After a scoreless first, the Tortugas scratched across a run in the second against Jupiter starter Eliazar Dishmey. Michael Trautwein collected the first hit of his rehab assignment, a leadoff double to right, then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Drew Davies then lined to left, but it was deep enough to score Trautwein on a sacrifice fly that put Daytona ahead 1-0.
Daytona starter David Lorduy was electric in the first two innings, striking out four batters in a row and facing the minimum in those frames. However, in the third he surrendered a one-out triple to Carlos Sanchez. After a groundout netted him the second out with the runner staying put, a balk brought in Sanchez to tie the game at one.
The Tortugas nearly re-gained the lead with two outs in the third. Sammy Stafura drew a two-out walk, then took off for second on a ball Ryan McCrystal lined into right-center. Stafura flew around home and was ticketed to score, but McCrystal was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double just before Stafura crossed the plate, so the run did not score and it remained a 1-1 game.
Lorduy bounced back with a 1-2-3 fourth, finishing off an outing of 4.0 innings with two hits and one run allowed, while striking out four and issuing no walks. Blanchard then entered and threw a 1-2-3 fifth, then brushed off a one-out single in a scoreless sixth.
The Tortugas then answered in the bottom of the sixth. A hit batter and a walk chased Dishmey with one out, then back-to-back walks forced in a run, with Esmith Pineda’s free pass forcing home the go-ahead tally. Davies then singled to left, driving in his second run of the night. Bernard Moon then legged out an infield hit to bring in a third run, as Daytona opened up a 4-1 cushion.
After a scoreless seventh from Blanchard, Luis Leones was plunked to begin the inning, then stole second. A wild pitch then caromed away from the plate and Leones raced all the way home from second, making it 5-1, Daytona.
In the eighth, Blanchard returned and recorded the first out, but a routine fly ball was then dropped, opening the floodgates. Two singles followed to score a run, before a fly ball to right was misjudged and fell for a single, bringing in another tally. Andres Valor then lined to center, which scored a third run, but runner Dillon Head was doubled off first on the play, ending the inning. Nonetheless, three runs scored (two unearned) and the lead was sliced to 5-4.
Blanchard (1-3) withstood the entire frame, ending his night with a career-high 4.0 innings, allowing three runs (one earned), while striking out three and not allowing a walk, leaving in line for his first professional win.
In the bottom of the eighth, Michael Trautwein drew a leadoff walk, then pinch runner Myles Smith made it to third on Davies’ second hit and a groundout. With two outs, a wild pitch scored Smith for a key insurance run.
With a two-run lead, Ben Brutti came on for the ninth and retired the first two batters. After a two-out walk, he induced a groundout to third, ending the game and securing his first save of the year, closing out a 6-4 victory.
Daytona will play game three of a six-game series against the Jupiter Hammerheads on Thursday evening at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Tomorrow will be Taps and Tacos, featuring taco specials and half-priced beer and soft drinks. First pitch will be at 6:35 p.m. Gates will open at 5:30, while pregame coverage with the Voice of the Tortugas, Brennan Mense, will begin on the Tortugas Radio Network and MiLB.tv at 6:25 p.m.
Tickets for every Tortugas home game are available on our website, by calling 386-257-3172, or by visiting the Jackie Robinson Ballpark box office at 110 E. Orange Avenue.
ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGAS
The Daytona Tortugas are in their tenth season as the Single-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of Minor League Baseball’s Florida State League. The Tortugas play at historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida that was recently designated a National Commemorative Site. 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.
