Daytona rallies in ninth to force extras, but settle for series split
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — In a back-and-forth affair, it was Jupiter who ended up with the last word. 1B Zach Zubia‘s two-run home run in the top of the 10th was the difference, as the Hammerheads hobbled the Daytona Tortugas, 6-5, in 10 frames before 1,155 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Sunday evening.
Daytona (1-2, 30-38) trailed by a run entering the bottom of the ninth when RF Jack Rogers (1-3, R, BB) started a rally with a broken-bat single to center. After advancing to second on a ground out, the Spring, Texas native moved to third on an infield single from 1B Yassel Pino (1-3, R, BB, SO).
With C Hayden Jones (2-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, SO) at the plate, the 0-2 pitch kicked to the left of Jupiter’s catcher. Rogers raced home to score the tying run, but the flip to the plate sailed off towards the pitcher’s mound. Luis Chevalier — who entered as a pinch-runner for Pino — was able to advance to third with the winning run on the throwing mistake.
The Tortugas were unable to capitalize with the game-ending tally 90 feet away, as a strikeout and a ground ball to short kept the game even at four.
It appeared as if Daytona would escape the top of the 10th unscathed, as consecutive punchouts kept the automatic runner at second. Yet, it was a 2-0 offering that altered that possibility.
Zubia (1-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, SO) pounded that delivery beyond the manual scoreboard in left-center field for a go-ahead, two-run home run. The University of Texas alum’s fifth long ball of the season put Jupiter (2-1, 36-31) back in front, 6-4.
The Tortugas would not go quietly in the bottom of the 10th. Following a ground out that scooted the auto-runner to third, 2B-SS Steven Leyton (2-4, 2B, RBI, BB, SO) peppered a shot down the line in left. A run came in to score, while the 23-year-old motored to second with a double, drawing Daytona within one, 6-5.
That was as close as the ‘Tugas would get, though. LHP Caleb Wurster (2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, ER, 3 SO) struck out the next two hitters, with the tying run in scoring position, to quell the rally and seal Jupiter’s 6-5 victory.
The Hammerheads and Tortugas snuck on the board in the third, trading a pair of runs. With the bases empty and two out, DH Brady Allen (2-5, R, HR, RBI, 2 SO) rifled a towering drive beyond the batting cages in left for a solo home run. The 2021 fifth-round pick’s seventh blast of the campaign granted Jupiter an early 1-0 edge.
In the bottom of the frame, SS Ilvin Fernández (0-2, R, BB) walked to lead off the inning and promptly stole second before taking third on a wild pitch. DH Tyler Callihan (1-5, RBI, 2 SO) tied the game at one with a sharp single through the right side of the infield with two outs.
Daytona grabbed the lead thanks to their own gopher ball in the fourth. After a two-out free pass to Pino, Jones slapped the first pitch he saw off the netting of the batting cages in left for a two-run home run. The Huntertown, Ind. native’s second clout of the series — and fourth of the year — put the Tortugas in front, 3-1.
Jupiter pulled to within a run in the top of the fifth, as 2B Angeudis Santos (2-4, R, RBI, 2 SO) roped a single to lead off the inning. CF Osiris Johnson (1-4, 2B, RBI, BB) drove him in with a double into the left-field corner, slicing their deficit to 3-2.
The Hammerheads regained the lead in the top of the seventh. LF Javeon Cody (1-4, R, 3B, 2 SO) poked a triple past a diving right fielder to start the inning and then scored on a single to left from Santos. With the bases empty and two down, SS José Salas (1-4, 2 R, HR, RBI, SO) clubbed a solo shot over the left-field wall. The 19-year-old’s second home run of the series and fifth of the season placed Jupiter back ahead, 4-3.
Neither starter factored into Sunday’s decision. RHP Ryan Cardona (4.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) tossed a career-high four innings in his first start of the season for Daytona. Jupiter’s LHP Sandro Bargallo (3.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 6 SO) tied a season-worst with six walks.
Wurster (2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, ER, 3 SO) ended up collecting his third victory of the season for the Hammerheads despite suffering a blown save in the ninth.
RHP Dennis Boatman (2.0 IP, H, 2 R, ER, 4 SO) was saddled with his fifth defeat in relief for the Tortugas.
Following the league-wide off day on Monday, the Tortugas will pack up for a six-game road trip against the Palm Beach Cardinals, the Florida State League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, starting on Tuesday evening. RHP Inohan Paniagua (4-4, 2.43) projects to take the hill for Palm Beach, while Daytona has yet to announce their probable. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:15 p.m. leading up to the 6:30 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.
###DBT###
