Collier and Rodriguez Go Deep in Tortugas Loss
JUPITER, FL—Cam Collier and Hector Rodriguez both launched home runs, but the Palm Beach Cardinals scored nine runs over a four-inning stretch to defeat the Daytona Tortugas 9-5 on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Palm Beach (12-10) erased a 3-0 deficit as Daytona (8-14) fell for the 14th
JUPITER, FL—Cam Collier and Hector Rodriguez both launched home runs, but the Palm Beach Cardinals scored nine runs over a four-inning stretch to defeat the Daytona Tortugas 9-5 on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Palm Beach (12-10) erased a 3-0 deficit as Daytona (8-14) fell for the 14th time in 17 games and with the loss will now go over three weeks without winning consecutive games.
In the first inning, Daytona got off to a rousing start against Palm Beach starter Max Rajcic. With one out, Carlos Jorge singled and Sal Stewart was plunked, putting two on for Collier. After falling behind 0-2, Collier battled back and lined the seventh pitch of the at-bat 373 feet over the right field wall for a three-run home run to put Daytona up 3-0.
.@Cam_Collier16 drilled such a laser (105 MPH) we don't even need to see where it landed (373 feet away over the right-field wall).
— Daytona Tortugas (@daytonatortugas) May 2, 2023
It's a three-run 💣 to put Daytona up 3-0 after 1! pic.twitter.com/Z5RmKeqf0s
Daytona had chances to extend the lead in the next two innings. In the second, two walks and an error loaded the bases, but a strikeout and groundout ended the inning with no runs. In the third, a leadoff single and two wild pitches put Logan Tanner on third with one out, but again, a strikeout and groundout doomed Daytona to no runs.
In the bottom of third, Palm Beach was able to find a clutch hit. A walk and a single opened the inning against Chris McElvain, who induced a strikeout and a flyout to find himself on the verge of escape. On a 1-2 pitch, though, Michael Curialle lined a two-run single up the middle to bring Palm Beach within a run, making it 3-2.
An inning later, the Cardinals pulled ahead. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases with no outs. After a strikeout, McElvain was lifted for Zach Maxwell, who allowed a game-tying sacrifice fly Lizandro Espinosa. Brody Moore followed with a single to right to bring in another run to put Palm Beach ahead 4-3.
After a passed ball brought in another run in the fifth, Daytona answered back in the sixth as Rodriguez led off the inning with a high fly ball to right that just cleared the fence for his fourth round-tripper of the season, a 364-foot shot that trimmed the deficit to 5-4.
Hector Rodriguez got that ball UP THERE but he also got it outta here!
— Daytona Tortugas (@daytonatortugas) May 2, 2023
That narrows the Daytona deficit to 5-4 in the 6th pic.twitter.com/WBFNUexiHM
Immediately, though Palm Beach took command with a big sixth inning. Three walks loaded the bases before a sacrifice fly from Leonardo Bernal brought in a run. R.J. Yeager followed with a triple off the left field wall to bring in two more runs. A wild pitch then brought in Yeager, making it 9-4.
The Cardinals offense quieted down as Joseph Menefee came on and spun 2.1 scoreless innings in relief, but Daytona could not put a serious dent in the deficit. In the ninth, Michel Triana doubled to lead off and came around on two wild pitches, but three straight strikeouts ended the game as Daytona fell 9-5.
The Tortugas will play game two against the Palm Beach Cardinals at 6:30 on Wednesday evening. Daytona will start RHP Jared Lyons (0-2, 6.75) against Palm Beach RHP Hunter Hayes (0-1, 3.38). Pregame on the Tortugas Radio Network and Bally Live with the Voice of the Tortugas Brennan Mense at 4:45 from at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter.
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.