Five-Run Third Sinks Tortugas Despite Tanner, Stewart's Big Nights

DAYTONA BEACH—Logan Tanner doubled twice and Sal Stewart rapped three hits, but the Daytona Tortugas could not recover from a five-run third as the Jupiter Hammerheads took a 7-3 victory on Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Jupiter (9-10, 44-41) moved within one game of Daytona (9-8, 38-44) in the second half standings, as Daytona struggled to find their rhythm at the plate and on the mound as they played just their second game in eight days due to weather cancellations and the All-Star Break.

The game started 58 minutes late following a pregame weather delay, the fourth-straight gameday delayed or postponed by weather for Daytona. After a scoreless first, though, both offenses got to work.

In the second, Victor Acosta singled with one out, then moved to third when a potential double play was booted at shortstop, putting two men in scoring position. Tanner took advantage, lining a double into the left-field corner off Jose Salvador to stake Daytona to a 2-0 lead.

That lead, though, quickly evaporated and then some. A leadoff walk followed by two singles loaded the bases with one out. Javier Sanoja then ripped a base hit up the middle to score two runs, tying the game. Torin Montgomery followed with an infield single to bring in another run. After a pitching change, a strikeout had the Tortugas on the cusp of ending the inning. However, Carlos Santiago lined a two-run double to right to cap off a five-run frame that put the Hammerheads ahead 5-2.

The Tortugas had opportunities to respond, putting two men in scoring position with two outs in the third, which was followed by Tanner’s second double and him reaching third in the fourth, but both times, the big hit eluded the Tortugas.

Jupiter added another tally in the fifth as a leadoff double was followed by a groundout. With one down, Santiago chopped a single up the middle through a drawn-in infield, adding another run to what was now a 6-2 lead for Jupiter.

In the seventh, Daytona got a run back as Ariel Almonte drew a leadoff walk and scored two batters later when Stewart blasted a double to deep left-center, trimming the deficit to 6-3.

Once again, though, the Hammerheads had an immediate answer. With one out in the eighth, Ian Lewis crushed a 404-foot home run that caromed halfway up the light tower in right field, restoring the four-run edge for Jupiter.

Daytona did show some fight in the ninth, as Hector Rodriguez legged out an infield single and Stewart singled for his third hit of the night, but back-to-back fielder’s choices ended the game as Jupiter took the series opener.

The Tortugas will play game two against Jupiter on Wednesday night. RHP Jared Lyons (0-3, 5.49) gets the ball for Daytona against Jupiter RHP Josh White (1-0, 2.91). Tomorrow will be Belly Buster Wednesday, featuring all-you-can-eat hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, and Marco’s pizza. Gates will open at 5:30 with first pitch at 6:35 p.m. and pregame coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network with the Voice of the Tortugas Brennan Mense beginning at 6:20 from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

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.