Marauders mangle Tortugas, 7-4, in finale

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - CF Stuart Fairchild continued his recent tear by smashing a solo home run in the eighth, but the Bradenton Marauders overthrew the Daytona Tortugas, 7-4, in front of 1,721 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Thursday night.

The game got underway with a bang for the 'Tugas (32-28), as LF Drew Mount (1-3, R, 2B, BB, SO) began the bottom of the opening frame with a double off the left-field wall. After moving to third on a wild pitch, the 23-year-old scored on a sacrifice fly to center by SS José Garcia (1-3, R, RBI, SO) to put Daytona in front, 1-0.
In the top of the fourth, Bradenton (34-25) jumped ahead for good. LF Chris Sharpe (3-5, 2 R) began the inning with a single and advanced to third on a double by SS Robbie Glendinning (2-4, 2 R, 2B, RBI, SO). Following a hit-by-pitch that loaded the bases, DH Daniel Amaral (2-3, R, 2 RBI) tied the game at one with a sac fly to left. Later in the frame with two down, C Raúl Hernández (2-4, RBI, SO) poked a grounder up the middle. Garcia made a diving stop but had no play. One run scored on the base-hit, while another crossed on an error trying to throw the ball home, leaving the Marauders ahead, 3-1.
Two innings later, Bradenton increased their lead to four. Amaral made it a 4-1 contest with a run-scoring knock to center, bringing home 1B Lucas Tancas (2-3, 2 R, 2B). Three batters after, 2B Chase Lambert (2-4, RBI) registered an RBI single of his own to extend their lead to four, 5-1.
Daytona responded in the bottom of the inning, pulling back within two. Garcia began the attack with a single, while free passes to 2B Alejo López (0-3, R, BB, 2 SO) and Fairchild (1-3, R, HR, RBI, BB) loaded the bases. Subsequently after a pitching change, 1B Bruce Yari (1-3, 2 RBI, BB) dumped a base-hit into shallow left-center. Two runners crossed on the single, slicing the deficit to 5-3.
The Marauders quickly stretched their lead back to four in the seventh. Glendinning appeared to do it all himself, as he pushed the advantage to three with a run-delivering single and then made it a 7-3 contest after he came home on a wild pitch.
Fairchild did his damage in the eighth, as he clobbered a solo shot to dead centerfield. The 23-year-old's fifth home run of the season whittled the Tortugas' deficit to three, 7-4.
RHP Nick Economos (5.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO) kept Daytona off-balance, as the Worcester, Mass. native garnered his second Florida State League win. Out of the bullpen, RHP Nick Mears (1.0 IP, SO) worked a perfect ninth inning to collect his second save.
After three shutout innings to start, RHP Austin Orewiler (4.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, 3 SO) faltered in the fourth. The 26-year-old yielded all three of his runs in that inning and was saddled with his sixth defeat.
Daytona will continue its seven-game homestand on Friday, as the Clearwater Threshers, High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, come to town to open up a three-contest set. RHP Mac Sceroler (3-0, 3.48 ERA) is slated to take the mound for the Tortugas in the lid-lifter. The Threshers are scheduled to counter with the FSL-leader in strikeouts, LHP Damon Jones (3-3, 1.37 ERA).
The Tortugas Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:50 p.m. ET, leading up to the 7:05 p.m. ET start at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Friday evening's contest can be heard on daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
The Force will be strong at The Jack, as we continue our Best Dressed Friday promotion with our annual Star Wars Night. Tortugas' players and coaches will wear special themed uniforms in honor of legendary Sci-Fi movie series. The jerseys will be auctioned off throughout the course of the weekend. In addition, Star Wars characters and other themed items will be a part of the festivities. Fans are encouraged to come to the park thirsty, as we kick off the night with our Friday Night Happy Hour presented by Kona Brewing. Patrons can enjoy buy-one, get-one Kona beer products, and Bud Light from 5:30 p.m. until first pitch. After the final out, fans will be treated to another splendid Postgame Fireworks display.
Multi-game plans and single-game tickets are still 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 High-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of the 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 Beijing Shougang Eagles of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) and many large community events and initiatives throughout the season.