Aguiar anchors Tortugas' 6-5 win over Tarpons

TAMPA, Fla. — RHP Julian Aguiar's mid-season surge continued on Tuesday evening. The 21-year-old punched out a career-best nine hitters over a career-high-matching five innings, earning his Florida State League-leading seventh win, as the Daytona Tortugas toppled the Tampa Tarpons, 6-5, from George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The Tarpons (10-5, 37-44) greeted Aguiar rudely, as SS Alexander Vargas (1-4, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB, SO) pounded the first pitch he threw beyond the fence in right-center field for a solo home run. The infielder's fifth blast of the season put Tampa in front, 1-0.

However, Daytona (6-10, 35-46) snatched the lead in the top of the second and never relinquished it. 2B Steven Leyton (1-5, R, SO) started the inning with a single and took second on a walk to C Hayden Jones (2-2, R, 3 BB). Following a strikeout and a fly ball to center, a wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third.

Yet, the Tortugas managed to tie the game without a hit. LF Luis Chevalier (0-3, R, 2 BB, 2 SO) and CF Rafael Franco (1-4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, SO) each coaxed consecutive two-out walks, chasing home a run and tying the game at one. 1B Austin Callahan (2-3, R, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SO) promptly poked a two-run single to center, giving Daytona the lead, 3-1.

In the fourth, Daytona showcased their power. With one out, Franco rifled a 1-0 pitch over the fence in left-center — right in front of the massive videoboard — for a solo home run. The Chihuahua, Mexico native's first blast of the year stretched the 'Tugas edge to three, 4-1.

Callahan followed the blast with a walk and successfully swiped second base. RF-LF Jack Rogers (1-4, 2 RBI, 2 SO) smacked a run-producing single to left to chase home another run, extending Daytona's cushion to 5-1.

Tampa snatched one of those runs back in the bottom of the fifth when DH Ben Rice (1-4, R, HR, RBI, 2 SO) tanked a solo clout off the facing of the Outfield Bar in right. The Dartmouth alum's third home run of the campaign cut the Tarpons' deficit to three, 5-2.

The Tortugas scrapped that run back in their favor in the top of the sixth. Franco reached on an error, while Callahan doubled off the pitcher's foot, and a plunking of 3B Michel Triana (0-4, 2 SO) loaded the bases with no outs. Rogers lifted a sacrifice fly to left, putting Daytona back ahead by four.

From that point forward, the Tarpons made sure the Tortugas had to sweat out the final several outs.

Tampa trimmed their deficit to three, 6-3, in the bottom of the sixth. CF Jasson Domínguez (2-3, 2 R, 2B, RBI, BB, SO) walked, stole second base, and then crossed the dish on a seeing-eye single to left from 1B Anthony García (1-3, RBI, BB, SO).

In the eighth, the Tarpons whittled Daytona's advantage to one. Vargas earned a free pass to start the inning and stole second before coming home on a double to right by Domínguez. After a ground out moved the runner to third, C Antonio Gómez (2-3, RBI) slapped a single through the right side of the infield to make it a 6-5 affair.

That, though, was as close as the home squad would get. RHP Javi Rivera (3.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) punched out the next two hitters to strand the tying run in scoring position in the ninth.

A frame later, RHP Owen Holt (1.0 IP, H, SO) entered and sealed the victory. The 23-year-old worked around a one-out single and a stolen base to leave the game's tying runner at second, securing his second save and Daytona's 6-5 triumph.

Aguiar (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 9 SO) was magnificent once more for the Tortugas on Tuesday. The Long Beach, Calif. resident whiffed a career-high nine hitters, worked a career-matching five frames and garnered his FSL-best seventh win.

RHP Zach Messinger (3.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 4 SO) issued five walks and lasted three innings for the Tarpons. The University of Virginia alum was saddled with his fifth defeat of the year.

The Tortugas will attempt to make it back-to-back victories on Wednesday night. RHP Tanner Cooper (4-1, 3.10) is projected to make the start for Daytona in game two of the series. Tampa is scheduled to counter with RHP Tyrone Yulie (2-2, 4.64). 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 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.