Daytona dashes St. Lucie with late rally, 3-2

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — 3B Austin Callahan powered a game-tying solo home run to right-center in the sixth and LF Jamal O'Guinn produced a go-ahead, bases-loaded walk in the seventh, as the Daytona Tortugas rallied to tame the St. Lucie Mets, 3-2, in front of 1,603 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Wednesday night.

St. Lucie (5-6, 45-31) carried a 2-1 advantage into the sixth inning and seemed on the verge of carrying it into the seventh after a pair of strikeouts.

However, on an 0-1 pitch, Callahan (1-3, R, HR, RBI) rifled a drive to deep right-center field. Mets RF Carlos Domínguez leaped at the fence, but could not bring the clout back. The Fremont, Neb. native's first home run of the season knotted the game up at two apiece.

It remained tied until the bottom of the seventh. Daytona (4-7, 33-43) started the frame with a single to center from C Hayden Jones (1-4, R, SO), who advanced to third on a one-out bloop single to right from 2B Steven Leyton (1-4, 2 SO). After RF Fidel Castro (0-1, R, BB, SO) was plunked on the foot with a pitch, O'Guinn (1-2, RBI, 2 BB, SO) stepped to the dish with the bases full.

The University of Southern California alum fell behind in the count 0-2 before battling to run it full. O'Guinn watched a 3-2 offering drop below the zone for ball four, forcing in the go-ahead run. His free pass put the Tortugas back ahead, 3-2.

RHP Julian Aguiar (4.0 IP, 3 H, 4 SO) made sure that the one-run cushion was enough to hold up the rest of the night. The Long Beach, Calif. native retired the final seven batters he faced to close out the night, sealing his team-leading sixth win and Daytona's 3-2 triumph.

After being shut out in the series opener on Monday, Daytona wasted no time scratching the scoreboard on Wednesday.

Castro earned a one-out walk in the home first and scooted to second on another free pass to O'Guinn. DH Jack Rogers (1-4, 2B, RBI, 3 SO) then pummeled a ball over the right fielder's head that one-hopped over the fence for a ground-rule double. The 2021 ninth-round pick's run-scoring, two-bagger granted the Tortugas a 1-0 lead.

St. Lucie jumped in front in the third with a gopher ball. With a runner at first and two out, CF Omar De Los Santos (1-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 SO) scalded a line drive over the wall in right-center field for a two-run shot. The 22-year-old's 10th home run of the season put the Mets in front, 2-1.

Neither starter received a decision despite their career performances. RHP Javi Rivera (5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 9 SO) set a new career-high with nine strikeouts for Daytona over a career-high-matching 5.0 innings pitched. St. Lucie's LHP Javier Atencio (5.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 11 SO) whiffed a career-best 11 over 5.0 frames.

RHP Michael Krauza (1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 4 SO) punched out four in his St. Lucie debut, however, he was saddled with his first loss of the season.

The biggest party in Central Florida returns to the World’s Most Famous Beach as the series continues with a Thirsty Thursday™ presented by Bud Light. All fans will be able to beat the heat and enjoy their favorite draft beer or fountain soda for as low as $1 at concession and beer stands throughout the night.

RHP Tanner Cooper (4-1, 3.38) is expected to take the hill for Daytona, as they look to capture their second-straight victory. St. Lucie is scheduled to counter with RHP Joel Díaz (0-1, 9.95) — New York's No. 9 prospect per Baseball America. Gates open at 6 p.m. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:50 p.m. leading up to the 7:05 p.m. first pitch from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

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.