ERUPTION IN EIGHTH ELEVATES ‘TUGAS OVER REDBIRDS, 5-4
Daytona scores three runs on four hits, capped by Astudillo’s go-ahead single
JUPITER, Fla. — Daytona sent eight hitters to the plate and tallied three runs on four hits in the eighth inning. This enabled the Tortugas to erase a two-run deficit and topple the Palm Beach Cardinals, 5-4, on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
CF Fidel Castro (2-5, R, RBI, 3 SO) ignited Daytona’s (3-5, 32-41) rally in the eighth with a leadoff single to left. Following a walk to RF Jack Rogers (0-4, R, BB, 4 SO), DH Hayden Jones (0-4, R, SO) smacked a ground ball to first. The throw to second was dropped at second, enabling everyone to advance safely on the fielder’s choice. Castro scored on the error to pull the Tortugas within a run, 4-3.
On a 1-1 pitch, 1B Michel Triana (1-4, RBI, SO) stung a ground ball through the right side of the infield for a single. Rogers scored, while Jones went to third, knotting the game up at four apiece.
The contest did not stay equal for long. C Wilfred Astudillo (2-3, R, RBI, BB) smashed the first pitch he saw into right for another knock. Triana was thrown out trying to get back to second after rounding too far off the bag, but Jones crossed the dish, giving Daytona the lead back, 5-4.
The Tortugas’ bullpen slammed the door shut from that point forward. RHP Dennis Boatman (3.2 IP, H, 2 BB, 4 SO) retired the Cardinals (6-2, 36-36) in order in the eighth, capping a career-high 3.2 shutout innings of relief and, ultimately, his second victory.
In the bottom of the ninth, RHP Luis Mey (1.0 IP, H, SO) sealed the triumph. The 21-year-old stranded the tying run in scoring position after a two-out double from SS Jeremy Rivas (1-3, R, 2B, 2 BB, SO), inducing a fly out to left to register his first save of the season and the third of his career.
Both teams traded runs early in the contest. RF Elijah Cabell (1-3, RBI, BB, 2 SO) poked a bases-loaded RBI single to center in the bottom of the first, giving Palm Beach a 1-0 advantage. Daytona promptly tied it in the top of the second courtesy of a run-producing double to right from 3B Austin Callahan (2-4, 2B, RBI, SO).
The top of the fifth saw the Tortugas snatch a brief lead, 2-1, when SS Ilvin Fernández (2-4, R, SO) garnered a single to left, advanced first to third on a ground out, and came home on a base hit to left from Castro.
Palm Beach posted a crooked number in the bottom of the inning. With the bases full and nobody out, McKeithan collected an infield single to third, bringing in a run to tie it a two. A balk and a single to left from LF Jhon Torres (1-3, RBI, SO) sent home two more tallies, placing the Cardinals ahead, 4-2.
Neither starter factored into the decision on Saturday. RHP Kevin Abel (4.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 4 BB, 9 SO) permitted one run and struck out a career-best nine in his first start for the Tortugas. The Cardinals’ RHP Trent Baker (5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 8 SO) collected eight punchouts over five frames.
RHP Chris Holba (1.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, SO) was charged with three runs (two earned) in the eighth and was saddled with his first defeat for Palm Beach.
The Tortugas will look to collect their second-straight road series split on Sunday. RHP José Franco (1-4, 5.23) is projected to make his first start and second appearance of the series for Daytona. Palm Beach is scheduled to counter with LHP Alex Cornwell (2-1, 4.46). 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 Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
After the six-game road swing, the Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Monday, July 4, to open up a series against the St. Lucie Mets, the Florida State League affiliate of the New York Mets. It will be an Independence Day Celebration in Daytona Beach featuring patriotic, red-white-and-blue Best Dressed Uniforms that will be auctioned off throughout the season. There will be special on-field games and activities around the ballpark and, after the final out, fans are encouraged to stick around for a fabulous Fourth of July Fireworks Show. Gates open at 6 p.m. and first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
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.
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