Durán downs Tortugas, 8-3, on Star Wars Night

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - 3B Jonathan India had three hits and clobbered his eighth home run of the season, but Clearwater's C Rodolfo Durán homered and drove in five, as the Clearwater Threshers toppled the Daytona Tortugas, 8-3, in front of 2,156 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Trailing 2-0, Clearwater (33-28) grabbed the lead for good in the fourth. 3B Alec Bohm (2-5, 2 R, RBI) singled to begin the frame and came home to score on a double down the left-field line by LF Jhailyn Ortiz (2-4, 3 R, 2B, RBI, BB, SO). After a pair of outs, Durán (4-4, R, 2B, HR, 5 RBI) whacked a shot into deep left field. The ball sailed between the manual and digital scoreboard for a two-run home run - his first of the season - to put the Threshers ahead, 3-2.
The visitors added to their lead in the sixth. Ortiz started the inning with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After he advanced to third on a fly out to right, Durán singled him home with a knock to center to stretch their advantage to 4-2.
India (3-5, 2 R, HR, RBI, 2 SO) pulled Daytona (32-29) back within a run in the seventh. With nobody on and two outs, the 22-year-old launched a massive blast over the batting cages in left field for a solo home run to trim the deficit to 4-3.
Clearwater put the game on ice with runs in the eighth and ninth frames. RF Matt Vierling (0-4, R, RBI) came up with two men on in the eighth and hit a grounder in the infield. The throw down to second base sailed into center allowing an insurance run to score. Durán then followed by punishing a ball into the left-centerfield gap. Two runs crossed on the backstop's double to thrust the Threshers lead to 7-3. In the ninth, an RBI ground out by Bohm capped the scoring by giving the Threshers an 8-3 advantage.
The Tortugas initially snagged a 2-0 lead with tallies in the first and third. India got aboard on a single with two outs in the first and scored on a double to left by 2B Alejo López (1-4, 2B, RBI, 2 SO). Two frames later, SS José Garcia (2-5, R, SO) reached on a base-hit to center, moved to second on a passed ball, advanced to third on a single by India, and scored on a wild pitch.
Threshers' All-Star LHP Damon Jones (5.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO) struck out eight over 5.2 innings to earn his fourth win of the year. RHP Mac Sceroler (5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 7 SO) tied a season-high with seven punch outs for Daytona but suffered his first defeat of 2019.
The series continues on Saturday, as the Tortugas are set to hand the ball to LHP Reíver Sanmartín (2-4, 4.20 ERA) in game two. Clearwater has yet to announce their starter for tomorrow's contest.
The Tortugas Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:50 p.m. ET, leading up to the 7:05 p.m. ET start at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Saturday evening's ballgame can be heard on daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
It will be a Shell-tastic Saturday with special events occurring on the concourse. Those who plan on attending are advised to arrive at the ballpark early, as the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a limited edition Vince Carter bobblehead giveaway in honor of Daytona Beach's legendary future Basketball Hall-of-Famer. Following the final out of the contest, those in attendance will be enthralled by yet another marvelous Postgame Fireworks show. 
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.