Almonte’s Two Homers and Strong Night on Mound Leads Rapid 5-0 Win

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Ariel Almonte blasted two of the squad’s three homers and three pitchers held the St. Lucie Mets to just four hits as the Daytona Tortugas blanked the St. Lucie Mets 5-0 on Saturday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Daytona (11-9) secured no worse than a series split thanks to their league-high fourth shutout win, shutting out St. Lucie (9-11) in a season-low 1-hour, 52-minute affair.

Some defense, some pitching, some speed, and of course, a few 💣💣💣 highlighted tonight's win! pic.twitter.com/ws0UdzXj7W

— Daytona Tortugas (@daytonatortugas) April 28, 2024

After both pitchers threw a scoreless first, Daytona logged singles by Connor Burns and Carlos Sanchez in the second against St. Lucie starter Kade Morris. However, a double play sandwiched in between muted the threat.

St. Lucie, meanwhile, did very little against Franco. Their first hit came leading off the third, but that runner was erased on a double play ball to end the inning. The right-hander also allowed a two-out double in the fourth, but ended the inning with a pop-up one batter later.

In the bottom of the fourth, Daytona pulled in front with the longball. Almonte led off and lined a 1-0 fastball from Morris 402 feet over the wall in right-center for a solo homer. Dominic Pitelli followed with a triple to left. After a strikeout, Yerlin Confidan stepped in and lifted the first pitch to left which carried over the wall for his first homer of the season, raising the lead to 3-0.

Franco (1-0) followed with a 1-2-3 fifth to finish a very efficient outing that left him line to earn the first win by a Tortugas starter this season. The right-hander went 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits with no walks and four strikeouts on just 47 pitches.

Cody Adcock followed in the sixth and began his outing with a strikeout before allowing a single. However, he induced a double-play ball to end the inning and his outing.

In the sixth, Daytona manufactured a run as Pitelli led off with a single, the second of his three hits on the night. He then stole second and moved to third on a groundout. After a pitching change, reliever Wilson Lopez uncorked a wild pitch to bring Pitelli home with a 4-0 lead.

Nick Sando entered to begin the seventh and fired a 1-2-3 inning, striking out the final two hitters of the frame. He allowed a leadoff single in the eighth, but retired the next three batters to end that inning with little drama.

In the bottom of the eighth, Almonte led off and worked the count full against Franklin Gomez. On the 3-2 offering, he unloaded a 447-foot drive to left-center for his second home run of the night, pushing the lead to 5-0 on his first career two-homer night.

Sando returned for the ninth and retired the side in order, finishing the contest with a strikeout looking to secure a 3.0-inning save, the first of his career.

The Tortugas will finish the series against the St. Lucie Mets on Sunday evening. Daytona will start RHP Brian Edgington (0-1, 1.93) against St. Lucie RHP Ernesto Mercedes (0-1, 5.23). Tomorrow is a Shelldon’s Family Fun Day with postgame Kids Run the Bases presented by Neighbors Ice Cream Parlor. Tomorrow will be Princess and Pirates Night with meet and greet opportunities for kids. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. with gates opening at 4:00. Pregame coverage on the Tortugas Radio network with Brennan Mense begins at 4:45 p.m.