Game called with one out in the bottom of the eighth due to rain and lightning
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — For the first time all season, weather interrupted baseball for the Tortugas. After a 30-minute delay due to rain and lightning, Friday evening’s game was called. CF Chavez Young reached base four times and scored three runs, as the Blue Jays snapped Daytona’s three-game winning streak with an 8-inning, 4-0 win in front of 996 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
Two batters into the opening inning, the Blue Jays (15-22) had a lead. On the first pitch he saw, Young(3-3, 3 R, HR, RBI, BB) unloaded a drive into the auxiliary parking lot beyond the right-field wall. The Freeport, Bahamas native’s first home run of the season granted Dunedin a 1-0 lead.
An inning later, Dunedin was on the attack again. With one out, 3B Damiano Palmegiani (2-4, R, 2 2B) smashed a double into the left-field corner. LF Glenn Santiago (1-3, RBI, SO) followed with a seeing-eye single through the left side of the infield. Palmegiani came around to score from second on the knock, putting the Jays ahead 2-0.
In the third, it was Young creating havoc once more. The 24-year-old collected a single to left with one out, but the ball kicked behind the fielder, allowing him to advance all the way to third. RF Gabriel Martínez (1-4, RBI) punched a base-hit back up the middle — scoring Young — to give Dunedin a 3-0 cushion.
The Blue Jays put the finishing touches on their shutout in the eighth. Young ignited another rally with a walk before swiping second base. After advancing to third on a ground out, 1B Rainer Núñez (2-4, RBI) brought him in with a single to left.
Daytona’s (16-21) best chance to break up the shutout came in the seventh. C Daniel Vellojín (1-2, BB, SO) and DH Gus Steiger (1-3, SO) collected back-to-back singles to start the inning. However, a foul pop-up to third base and consecutive strikeouts kept the Tortugas off the board.
Players were called off the field, due to the inclement weather, in the bottom of the eighth inning with the bases empty, one out, and an 0-1 count on SS Braylin Minier (0-2). After the 30-minute hiatus, the game was waved off by the umpires. Friday’s game also began with a 10-minute rain delay.
RHP Dahian Santos (5.0 IP, H, BB, 8 SO) tossed a season-long five shutout frames in his second start of the year of Dunedin. The 19-year-old permitted only one hit en route to his third win of the year. RHP Justin Kelly (2.1 IP, 2 H, 3 SO) entered in relief and recorded the final seven outs before the game ceased in the eighth, earning his second save of the campaign.
Daytona’s RHP Arij Fransen (5.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 SO) tallied a season-high five innings but suffered his third defeat.
The Tortugas will look to return to the win column Saturday on the second Bark in the Park Night of the year. For just $2, fans can purchase a “pooch pass” so their four-legged friend can enjoy a nine-inning vacation, as well. Saturday will also feature City of Holly Hill Night including special discounted tickets for Holly Hill residents.
The Tortugas are expected to give the ball to RHP Julian Aguiar (2-3, 3.34). The Blue Jays are projected to counter with RHP Nick Frasso (0-0, 0.00). Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:50 p.m. leading up to the 7:05 p.m. first pitch from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
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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