Big Second Inning Paces Series-Opening Win

DUNEDIN, Fla—The Daytona Tortugas scored four runs in the second and held the Dunedin Blue Jays to just four hits as the Tortugas took the series opener 6-2 on Tuesday night at TD Ballpark.

Daytona (31-33) took a series opener for just the second time this season as they defeated Dunedin (32-32) in the first game the Tortugas played at TD Ballpark since 2018.

Dunedin took the lead in the bottom of the first against Daytona starter Jose Montero. With one out, Cade Doughty ripped an opposite-field home run over the right field fence to stake the Blue Jays to a quick 1-0 lead.

Daytona, though, had the answer right away. An error allowed Yerlin Confidan to reach to start the inning. Two batters later, he came home on an RBI single by Jack Moss. Johnny Ascanio then stepped up and roped an RBI double to right-center, putting the Tortugas in front. Two batters later, Ricardo Cabrera looped a two-run single to right, capping off a four-run frame to put Daytona up 4-1.

Montero threw a 1-2-3 second but ran into trouble in the third. With one out, he walked back-to-back hitters ahead of Cristian Feliz, who lined a long single to right that loaded the bases with one out. However, Manuel Beltre bounced into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning as the Tortugas kept the three-run advantage.

Daytona added two more runs in the fifth as Sammy Stafura single with one out. With two outs, Stafura was moving on the pitch as Ariel Almonte blooped a pitch to left and Stafura did not stop, scoring from first on a single. Almonte then scooted home on a Connor Burns double to put Daytona in front 6-1.

Montero threw a scoreless fourth to finish off an outing in which he allowed one run on two hits over 4.0 innings before handing things off to Jonah Hurney in the fifth. The left-hander struck out in a 1-2-3 fifth, then two more while navigating an error to begin the sixth.

In the seventh, Hurney wobbled somewhat, as he allowed a leadoff double to Tucker Toman, followed by a walk. The lefty then retired the next two batters, but Victor Arias drove in Toman with a two-out RBI single. Hurney (3-0) then picked up his fifth strikeout if the night, ending 3.0 innings of one-run ball to put himself in line for the win.

Simon Miller then emerged from the bullpen and shut down the Blue Jays the rest of the way. The right-hander struck out two in a 1-2-3 eighth, then worked around a scoreless ninth, striking out two more as he locked down the 6-2 victory.

Daytona will be back in action Wednesday morning as they will face Dunedin in game two at 11:00 a.m. at TD Ballpark. RHP Brian Edgington (2-4, 3.32) will get the ball for Daytona against Juaron Watts-Brown (2-4, 3.26) for Dunedin. Pregame coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network with the Voice of the Tortugas, Brennan Mense, beginning at 10:50.