Cardona Shines, Stewart Homers, but Late Push Falls Short in 3-2 Defeat
TAMPA, FL—Ryan Cardona spun 5.0 innings of two-hit ball and Sal Stewart homered, but the Tampa Tarpons broke a 1-1 tie in the eighth inning to take the series finale 3-2 over the Daytona Tortugas on Monday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Tampa (4-5, 35-50) salvaged the final game
TAMPA, FL—Ryan Cardona spun 5.0 innings of two-hit ball and Sal Stewart homered, but the Tampa Tarpons broke a 1-1 tie in the eighth inning to take the series finale 3-2 over the Daytona Tortugas on Monday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Tampa (4-5, 35-50) salvaged the final game of the series, though Daytona (7-2, 36-38) still finishes with a winning road trip, though they were fell short of reaching the .500 mark on the season for the first time since April 20.
After both starters spun 1-2-3 first frames, Daytona mounted a threat in the second against Baron Stuart. Cade Hunter doubled down the right-field line and moved to third on a Cam Collier single. However, Stuart induced a flyout to shallow left, which was followed by a 4-6-3 twin killing to end the inning.
On the other side, Cardona was sharp for Daytona in the first three innings. The only runner he allowed in that span was a two-out single in the second, which was quickly mitigated by an inning-ending fielder’s choice.
In the fourth, Cardona got some run support, Stewart stepped up to the plate and drove a 1-2 delivery from Stuart over the wall in deep right-center. The 389-foot blast was Stewart’s seventh round-tripper of the season and third of the series, which also extended his hitting streak to ten games.
Cardona encountered trouble for the first time in the fourth, allowing a leadoff walk and plunking a batter with two outs. However, a lazy flyout to left ended the inning to preserve the 1-0 advantage.
In the fifth, though, he wasn’t as fortunate. After two quick outs to begin the inning, Ronny Rojas blasted a 1-0 pitch from Cardona and deposited it 401 feet over the wall in right-center field, tying the game at one apiece.
Cardona did bounce back, though, with a strikeout to cap off a career-high 5.0 innings, allowing one run on just two hits, while walking one, hitting one, and striking out four, but settling for a no-decision.
Jacob Heatherly followed for Daytona and looked very sharp. The southpaw threw perfect sixth and seventh innings, striking out a trio of batters in the process.
Tampa, meanwhile, saw Stuart worked 6.2 innings before handing things off to Alex Bustamante, who issued a pair of two-out walks, but coerced a groundout from Collier to end the rally and keep the game tied.
In the bottom of the eighth, Joseph Menefee and was the recipient of a great catch in right field from Ariel Almonte to begin the frame. However, Rojas walked, bringing up Jared Serna. The Tampa shortstop got a 3-0 green light and belted a no-doubter over the left-field wall for his league-leading 14th home run. More importantly, it put Tampa in front, 3-1.
In the ninth, though, Daytona did not go quietly. Manny Ramirez came on for Tampa and was all over the place, walking the bases loaded and throwing a pair of wild pitches, before handing off a base-loaded, one-out jam to Cole Ayers. Ayers first induced a chopper to the mound that resulted in the second out, but also scored a run while moving the tying run to third. However, he struck out Hector Rodriguez to end the game, as Daytona fell short, 3-2.
The Tortugas will head home to take on the Bradenton Marauders tomorrow night. Daytona will throw RHP Arij Fransen (2-5, 6.00), while Bradenton’s starter is still to be announced. Tomorrow night will feature the Tortugas’ 4th of July fireworks spectacular, along with food and drink specials, special on-field games, and more! First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. with pregame coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network with the Voice of the Tortugas Brennan Mense begins at 6:20 from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
Daytona Tortugas single-game tickets and ticket packages are on sale now at daytonatortugas.com, (386) 257-3172, or the box office at 110 East Orange Ave.
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.