Clearwater creeps past Daytona, 3-2

CLEARWATER, Fla. - CF Stuart Fairchild continued his offensive assault with a home run and two runs driven in, but the Clearwater Threshers squeaked past the Daytona Tortugas, 3-2, on Friday night at Spectrum Field.

A tie game at one heading to the bottom of the fourth, the Threshers (4-1, 40-31) put the first two men on to begin the inning courtesy of a single and a hit-by-pitch. Following a sacrifice bunt that advanced the runners to second and third, 2B Dalton Guthrie (2-3, RBI, BB) gave Clearwater a 2-1 lead with a run-producing ground out to second. SS Nick Maton (2-3, RBI, 2 BB) then added an RBI single that deflected off the first baseman's mitt to put the Threshers ahead by two, 3-1.
Fairchild (2-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB) tried his best to assist in the comeback effort. The Seattle, Wash. native ripped a 1-0 pitch over the left-field fence for a solo home run to lead off the top of the sixth. The clout - his sixth of the season - trimmed Daytona's (2-3, 37-33) deficit to a measly tally, 3-2.
That was as close as the 'Tugas would get from that point on. In the top of the ninth, C Mark Kolozsvary (2-4, 2 SO) picked up a two-out single to keep the game going. PH Bruce Yari (0-1) then came up to pinch-hit and ripped a liner into right-center. Clearwater RF Jhailyn Ortiz made a tremendous head-long diving grab in the gap to rob the 24-year-old of a potential game-tying hit and seal the win for the home squad.
Daytona initially snagged a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first. DH Scooter Gennett (1-4, R, 2B, SO) scalded a double down the right-field line and came across to score one pitch later on a single to left by Fairchild.
The Threshers knotted it at one in the bottom of the second. A walk and a single began the frame to put runners at first and third. Later in the inning, a wild pitch enabled C Rodolfo Durán (0-3, R, BB, SO) to score from third.
LHP Ethan Evanko (6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 6 SO) was solid for Clearwater, tossing six quality innings to collect his fourth win of the season. RHP Grant Dyer (1.2 IP, H, SO) entered in the eighth and recorded the final five outs to collect his fifth save.
It was a rocky return to the Florida State League for Daytona's RHP Jared Solomon (3.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO). The 22-year-old walked four over 3.2 innings and suffered his second defeat in the circuit.
The Tortugas will try to and enact revenge on Saturday, as RHP Wendolyn Bautista (0-1, 2.33 ERA) is expected to make his second FSL start of the year. Clearwater has not announced its starter for the contest yet.
The Tortugas Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:15 p.m. ET, leading up to the 6:30 p.m. ET start at Spectrum Field. Saturday evening's game can be heard on www.daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
After an off day on Monday, the Tortugas will return to Daytona Beach to open up a nine-game homestand starting with three contests against the Tampa Tarpons, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, on Tuesday, June 25. It will be a Silver Sluggers Night presented by MetCare at the ballpark, as members of the Tortugas' exclusive 60-and-older club receive a free drink, discounted Michelob Ultra, and a reserved ticket for every Tuesday night home game. Fans will also be able to join in with Baseball Bingo through the night. It will be another Cancer Awareness Night at the ballpark presented by Radiology Imaging Centers. Daytona players and coaches will don special pink-tinted uniforms that highlight many local cancer survivors. Fans are encouraged to come hungry for a Taco Tuesday at The Jack with beef and chicken tacos going for just $2.
Multi-game plans and single-game tickets are still 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 High-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of the 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 Beijing Shougang Eagles of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) and many large community events and initiatives throughout the season.