Faltine, Marrero, Rodríguez pick up RBI doubles, as ‘Tugas start two-week road trip with win
JUPITER, Fla. — After their first nine hitters were retired in order, Daytona had their first six men reach to start the fourth inning. The Tortugas sent all nine batters to the plate and dented the dish five times, propelling Daytona to a 6-3 victory over the Jupiter Hammerheads on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Jupiter (21-27, 55-57) jumped in front first in the bottom of the third. 2B Kahlil Watson (3-5, 2 R, 2B, 3B, RBI) slapped a double down the left-field line to start the inning and quickly advanced to third on a ground out. SS Yiddi Cappe (0-3, RBI) carried a sacrifice fly out to right to bring the runner home, giving the Hammerheads a 1-0 edge.
The lead did not last for very long, as 3B Austin Callahan (1-5, R, 2B, 2 SO) and CF Héctor Rodríguez (1-4, R, 2B, RBI, SO) smashed back-to-back doubles to start the inning for Daytona (16-31, 45-67), knotting the game at one.
After 1B Yassel Pino (0-4, R, 2 SO) reached on a throwing error that put runners at first and third, DH Trey Faltine (2-4, R, 2B, RBI, SO) pulled a line drive into left. Rodríguez scored, while Pino ended up at third on the two-base hit, giving the Tortugas a 2-1 advantage.
Daytona remained patient at the plate, though. C Logan Tanner (0-2, R, 2 BB) coaxed a walk to load the bases and SS Edwin Arroyo (0-2, R, RBI, 2 BB) followed with one of his own to force in a run and stretch the ‘Tugas lead to two, 3-1.
After a pitching change, LF Jamal O’Guinn (0-4, 2 SO) rolled into a double play for the first two outs of the fourth inning. Faltine came home on the twin killing to expand the advantage to 4-1. RF Wendell Marrero (1-3, 2B, RBI) promptly sliced an RBI double of his own to left to cap Daytona’s five-run frame, placing the visitors up four.
It remained a four-run affair until Jupiter’s offense re-ignited in the seventh. 1B Torin Montgomery (1-3, 2B, BB) worked a one-out walk but was quickly erased on a fielder’s choice. With two out, Watson demolished a ball to deep right-center field.
The outfielder could not make a stellar backhanded grab and the ball kicked off the fence and rolled to straightaway center. The 19-year-old chugged all the way to third with a run-producing triple, pulling the Hammerheads within three, 5-2.
DH Garrett Cooper (1-3, RBI, BB, SO) — the 2022 National League All-Star on a Major League rehab assignment — followed by driving in Watson with a single to draw Jupiter to down a pair, 5-3. Alas, that was as close as Daytona permitted them to get the rest of the way.
In the ninth, Daytona captured a key insurance run. Arroyo led off the frame with a walk, swiped second base, and advanced to third on a ground ball to short. Behind in the count with two strikes, 2B Braylin Minier (1-4, RBI, 2 SO) rifled the next offering into center for a single. Arroyo scored on the one-base knock, giving the Tortugas a 6-3 cushion.
Montgomery posted a one-out two-base hit for Jupiter in the bottom of the final frame, but RHP Jean Correa (4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 3 SO) induced a fly out to right and a ground out to second to secure Daytona’s 6-3 win. It was also the 24-year-old’s first victory as a member of the Cincinnati Reds organization.
RHP Ryan Cardona (4.2 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 3 BB, 4 SO) posted a career-high 4.2 innings of work in his fifth start of the season but fell one out shy of qualifying for the win for the Tortugas.
Despite retiring the first nine men he faced, RHP Juan Reynoso (3.0+ IP, 3 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) was unable to register an out in the fourth. The 18-year-old was saddled with his fourth Florida State League loss.
Daytona will look to win consecutive games for the first time in the second half in Wednesday night’s twinbill with Jupiter. RHP Hunter Parks (3-5, 4.95) is scheduled to take the hill for the Tortugas in the lid-lifter and RHP Tanner Cooper (4-3, 3.09) is expected to toe the slab in the nightcap. The Hammerheads are projected to give the ball to LHP Sandro Bargallo (2-3, 3.06) in game one and RHP Luarbert Arias (3-0, 2.96) in game two. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 4:45 p.m. leading up to the 5 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 and 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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