Cardinals' three-run second stifles Tortugas, 4-2

JUPITER, Fla. — SS Steven Leyton and CF Fidel Castro posted solo home runs for Daytona, but it was Palm Beach's three-run second that was the decisive factor. The Cardinals rode that crooked number to a 4-2 victory over the Daytona Tortugas on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

C Aaron McKeithan (2-4, 2 R, 3B, HR, RBI, SO) started the Palm Beach (6-1, 36-35) second with a triple to left and SS Jeremy Rivas (1-3, R, BB, 2 SO) followed with a walk before DH Leonardo Bernal (1-3, RBI) lofted a sacrifice fly to left to put the Cardinals in front, 1-0.

Following a walk to RF Patrick Romeri (0-2, R, BB), a passed ball enabled Rivas to advance to third. With two out, CF Adanson Cruz (1-3, 3B, 2 RBI, SO) slapped a two-run triple to right-center field, placing Palm Beach in front by three, 3-0.

Daytona (2-5, 31-41) started chipping away in the top of the sixth. Leyton (1-4, R, HR, RBI, SO) led off the top of the sixth inning by hammering a 1-2 pitch beyond the left-center field wall for a solo home run. His sixth blast of the year — already matching his total from the 2021 campaign — drew the Tortugas within a pair, 3-1.

An inning later, Castro (3-4, R, HR, RBI) stepped to the dish with one retired and launched the first offering he saw out to center for another solo blast. The 23-year-old's fourth home run of the year pulled Daytona within a single tally, 3-2.

McKeithan extended Palm Beach's cushion back to two in the bottom of the eighth. The 2021 16th-round pick clocked a solo shot — his third of the campaign — out to left field to grant the Redbirds a 4-2 advantage.

RHP Roy García (3.0 IP, 4 H, R, ER, 7 SO) stayed on for his third inning of work in the top of the ninth and sealed the Cardinals' victory. The right-hander worked around a one-out single by Castro to record a strikeout and a ground out, securing his fifth save of 2022.

RHP Bryan Pope (6.0 IP, 5 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) hurled six innings of one-run ball for Palm Beach, earning the first victory of his professional career.

Daytona's RHP Hunter Parks (2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, SO) only lasted two innings and was saddled with his second defeat of the year.

RHP Brett Lockwood (4.0 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 SO) tossed a career-high-tying four shutout innings in relief for the Tortugas.

The Tortugas will attempt to snap the two-game slide on Saturday evening. RHP Kevin Abel (0-1, 4.50) is projected to make his first start for Daytona. Palm Beach is scheduled to counter with RHP Trent Baker (4-6, 2.91). Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 5:45 p.m. leading up to the 6:00 p.m. first pitch from Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

After the six-game road swing, the Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Monday, July 4, to open up a series against the St. Lucie Mets, the Florida State League affiliate of the New York Mets. It will be an Independence Day Celebration in Daytona Beach featuring patriotic, red-white-and-blue Best Dressed Uniforms that will be auctioned off throughout the season. There will be special on-field games and activities around the ballpark and, after the final out, fans are encouraged to stick around for a fabulous Fourth of July Fireworks Show. Gates open at 6 p.m. and first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Season tickets, 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.