Game will pick back up on Friday at 4:30 p.m. with Tampa leading, 4-0; Seven-inning nightcap to follow
TAMPA, Fla. — After dealing with 150-plus minutes worth of lightning delays on Wednesday, Mother Nature left zero doubt for Tampa and Daytona on Thursday night. Following an approximate 45-minute delay due to lightning and torrential rain, the Tortugas’ contest against the Tarpons at George M. Steinbrenner Field was suspended in the bottom of the third inning.
The game will resume at 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday afternoon with Tampa holding a 4-0 lead in the third. C Ben Rice (0-0, BB) will be the batter at the plate with runners at first and second and two outs. Following the completion of Thursday’s nine-inning game, there will be a roughly 30-minute break and then a seven-inning nightcap will be played.
Tampa (11-5, 38-44) jumped in front before the rain fell in the bottom of the second. After the first 10 batters of the game were retired consecutively, 2B Ben Cowles (1-2, R, 2B) reached base with a double down the left-field line. He would promptly score on another two-bagger to left by LF Madison Santos (2-2, R, 2B, 2 RBI). Santos came across on a pair of wild pitches to stretch the Tarpons’ lead to 2-0.
Before the game was halted in the third, SS Alexander Vargas (0-1, R, BB) drew a leadoff walk and stole second base before coming home on a one-out single to left from DH Marcos Cabrera (1-2, R, RBI, SO). Santos smashed the final pitch before the delay for a run-producing knock into left-center, extending Tampa’s cushion to 4-0.
RHP Yon Castro (3.0 IP, 5 SO) retired all nine batters he faced for the Tarpons, collecting five strikeouts in the process.
RHP Hunter Parks (2.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) yielded all four runs for the Tortugas (6-11, 35-47) before the game was put into a hiatus.
The Tortugas will try and return to the win column on Friday, as RHP Kevin Abel (1-0, 3.46) is projected to make the start in game two. The Tarpons are scheduled to counter with RHP Juan Carela (5-2, 2.78), the Yankees’ No. 25 prospect per Baseball America. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 4:15 p.m. leading up to the 4:30 p.m. first pitch from George M. Steinbrenner Field.
The Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Friday, July 22, to open up a three-game series against the Palm Beach Cardinals, the Florida State League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. It will be Margaritaville Night at the ballpark featuring Best Dressed Uniforms worn by Daytona’s players and coaches that will be auctioned off throughout the rest of the season. There will also be special food and drink items at concession stands to mark the occasion. Prior to the first pitch, fans will also be able to enjoy Live Music from Mike and Vin on the third-base riverwalk. Friday Night Happy Hour comes back to the ballpark, too, with special discounts on select draft beers at the concession stands.
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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