Daytona downs Florida in finale, 5-4

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Tortugas erupted for three runs in the fifth inning to take the lead for good, as Daytona held off the Florida Fire Frogs, 5-4, in front of 1,855 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Wednesday afternoon.

Tied at two headed to the bottom of the fifth, LF Lorenzo Cedrola (0-3, R, BB) reached on a walk to begin the inning. RF Andy Sugilio (2-4, 2 R, 2B, RBI, 2 SO) then thwacked the first pitch he saw into the left-centerfield gap. Cedrola scored from first on the double to put Daytona (2-1, 37-31) in front, 3-2. Following a wild pitch that advanced him to third, Sugilio crossed the dish to make it a 4-2 game on a sacrifice fly to right by SS José Garcia (1-3, RBI). 
With nobody on and two out, 3B Jonathan India (1-3, R) restarted the rally with a single to left-center. After scooting to second on an errant pitch, CF Stuart Fairchild (2-4, RBI) drove the former first-round selection home with a run-scoring base-hit to center.
The Fire Frogs (1-2, 26-43) would not go quietly, as they pulled within one in the seventh. Back-to-back singles and a wild pitch put men at second and third with one away in the frame. SS Riley Delgado (2-5, R, RBI, SO) made it a 5-3 affair with an RBI groundout to short. RF Trey Harris (2-5, R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, SO) then proceeded to punish a ball down the line in left. The 23-year-old ended up at second with a run-producing double to whittle Daytona's lead to 5-4.
That was as close as the visitors would get. RHP Julio Pinto (2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 4 SO) worked around a two-out walk in the eighth and LHP Andy Cox (1.0 IP, H) stranded the tying run at second base in the ninth to seal the win.
Daytona jumped ahead early with runs in the second and third. C Mark Kolozsvary (2-4, R, HR, RBI, SO) broke the scoreless tie in the second with a two-out solo home run to left field. The blast - his fourth of the year - gave the 'Tugas 1-0 edge. An inning later, 2B Alejo López (1-4, RBI) brought in Sugilio with an RBI single to center.
Florida managed to tie it in the fourth. Delgado ignited the frame with a base knock to right-center and came across on a two-run clout to center by Harris. The home run - his second in the Florida State League - tied the game up at two.
RHP Diomar López (2.0 IP, H, 4 SO) earned his second victory in relief for Daytona, hurling two spotless innings. Cox (1.0 IP, H) finished the contest for the Tortugas and garnered his fifth save in the FSL. Fire Frogs' LHP Philip Pfeifer (5.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) surrendered five runs on eight hits in five innings, suffering his fourth defeat of the season.
It was a no-decision for RHP Mac Sceroler (4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO). The 24-year-old issued two runs in four frames in his seventh start of the campaign.
Daytona will venture on their first road trip of the second half, as they begin a four-game series against the Clearwater Threshers, the High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. RHP Austin Orewiler (3-6, 3.67 ERA) is expected to take the ball in the lid-lifter. Clearwater has not announced their starter for tomorrow's contest yet.
The Tortugas Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:45 p.m. ET, leading up to the 7:00 p.m. ET start at Spectrum Field. Thursday 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.