Callahan's clouts not enough to capsize Cardinals, 7-5

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — 1B Austin Callahan continued his stellar play over the last month, collecting three hits and adding two solo home runs. However, Palm Beach added four blasts of their own, as the Cardinals corralled the Daytona Tortugas, 7-5, in front of 2,942 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday night.

Palm Beach (14-9, 44-43) powered up their offense early. Leading off the second, DH Aaron McKeithan (2-3, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB) lofted a ball off the netting of the batting cages beyond the left-field fence. The Asheville, N.C. native's fourth blast of the season put the Cardinals in front, 1-0.

Later in the frame, Palm Beach parked one again with a man at first and two out. C Leonardo Bernal (3-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI, SO) unloaded a towering drive way beyond the right-field wall for a two-run home run. The second of the season by the 18-year-old — a 441-foot blast — expanded their lead to 3-0.

It was Daytona's (7-15, 36-51) turn to put one beyond the fence in the third. Callahan (3-5, 2 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI, SO) clocked a solo shot into the auxiliary parking lot beyond right field with the bases empty and two out. The Fremont, Neb. resident's second home run of the campaign, pulled the Tortugas within two, 3-1.

In the fourth, Palm Beach flexed its muscles again. RF Patrick Romeri (2-4, 2 R, HR, RBI) led off the frame by hammering a ball over the wall in left-center for a solo clout. The IMG Academy alum's third homer of the season propelled Palm Beach back up three, 4-1.

Daytona started to chip away in the middle frames when a pair of singles from RF Jack Rogers (2-3, R, 2B, BB, SO) and DH Yassel Pino (2-4, R, 3B) started a rally in the fourth. Following a fielder's choice, C Wilfred Astudillo (2-4, RBI) poked a run-scoring single to right.

In the sixth, Pino started the frame for Daytona by lacing a ball down the right-field line. The 20-year-old chugged into third with a leadoff triple before scoring on 3B Michel Triana's (0-4, RBI) ground out to second, drawing the Tortugas within one, 4-3.

Both squads traded runs in the seventh. Leading off the inning, Bernal was cleared for take-off once more. The Panama City, Panama native pummeled another offering out of the stadium to right for his first career multi-home run game. Bernal's third of the season pushed the Cardinals back up a pair, 5-3.

The Tortugas sliced the deficit back to one in the bottom of the inning. CF Rafael Franco (1-3, R) rifled a single into right-center, took second and third on separate wild pitches, before scoring on a dropped third-strike wild pitch.

In the eighth, Bernal blasted Daytona again. Palm Beach loaded the bags on walks to McKeithan and LF Darlin Moquete (0-3, BB, 2 SO) and a single from Romeri. With two out, the 18-year-old served a liner into left. Two runs came home on the single to match the Redbirds' largest lead of the night at three, 7-4.

The Tortugas rallied in the ninth, but could not complete the comeback. Down to their final strike, Callahan hit a majestic solo home run out beyond the auxiliary parking lot in right field. The 2021 18th-round pick's second round-tripper of the game — his first career multi-homer contest — yanked Daytona back within two, 7-5.

That was as close as the home team would get, though. RHP Bryan Pope (2.0 IP, H, R, ER, SO) earned a swinging strikeout of the next batter after the home run to seal Palm Beach's victory and his third save of the year.

LHP Alex Cornwell (6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, 6 SO) yielded eight hits but tossed six strong frames for the Cardinals to earn his fourth win of the campaign.

The Tortugas' RHP José Franco (3.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) reached the 90-strikeout plateau for the season on Saturday but was saddled with his sixth defeat.

The homestand comes to a close on Sunday with Shelldon’s Family Fun Day. Members of the brand-new kids and family plan receive tickets to every Sunday home game in addition to a Tortugas’ hat, a meal voucher — good for a free hot dog, popcorn, and small fountain drink — at the gates. After the final out, youngsters take the diamond with Kids Run The Bases presented by Neighbor’s Ice Cream Parlor.

RHP Chase Petty — Cincinnati's No. 7 prospect per Baseball America — is projected to take the hill for Daytona in the series finale. Palm Beach is scheduled to counter with RHP Trent Baker (5-6, 3.25). Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 5:20 p.m. leading up to the 5:35 p.m. first pitch from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

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.