Grand slam grounds Daytona in opener, 4-1

Hayden Jones extends hit streak to seven, but Leonardo Bernal's blast the difference

C Hayden Jones extended his hitting streak to seven-straight games with an RBI double in the fourth, but the Palm Beach Cardinals clipped the Daytona Tortugas, 4-1, on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. (Ryan Dowd)

By Justin Rocke

June 28, 2022

JUPITER, Fla. — C Hayden Jones continued his torrid stretch, extending his hit streak to seven-straight games with a run-scoring double. However, it was his counterpart who had the decisive blow. Palm Beach C Leonardo Bernal's grand slam in the sixth put the home team ahead for good, as the

JUPITER, Fla. — C Hayden Jones continued his torrid stretch, extending his hit streak to seven-straight games with a run-scoring double. However, it was his counterpart who had the decisive blow. Palm Beach C Leonardo Bernal's grand slam in the sixth put the home team ahead for good, as the Cardinals collected a 4-1 victory over the Daytona Tortugas on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

The game was a scoreless contest through three innings when the 'Tugas (1-3, 30-39) delivered the game's first tally.

1B Michel Triana (1-3, R, BB, 2 SO) led off the frame by slapping Daytona's first hit of the game into left for a single. Following a foul pop-up to first, Jones (1-4, 2B, RBI, SO) pounded the first pitch he saw down the left-field line. Triana motored all the way around from first to score, while Jones took third on an errant throw to the plate. The 22-year-old was credited with an RBI double, giving the Tortugas a 1-0 edge.

The lead remained intact until the bottom of the sixth. Palm Beach (4-0, 34-34) received back-to-back walks to begin the inning before a line out to left and a swinging strikeout appeared to cool off the Cardinals.

After SS Jeremy Rivas (0-2, R, BB, SO) coaxed a walk to load the bases with two outs, Bernal came through with the deciding blow. The 18-year-old golfed a 1-2 offering beyond the right-field fence for a grand slam — his first home run of the season — to give Palm Beach the advantage, 4-1.

Daytona mustered a rally in the ninth, but could not complete the comeback. 1B Yassel Pino (1-3, BB) stroked a leadoff single to center and advanced to second on a two-out infield knock from 3B Austin Callahan (1-3, BB, SO). Ilvin Fernández (0-1) was called upon as a pinch-hitter to continue the attack, but a ground out to third ended the contest.

It was another tough-luck no-decision for Daytona's RHP Chase Petty (5.0 IP, 3 H, BB, 4 SO). The 19-year-old worked around a pair of two-on, nobody-out jams in the second and third to twirl a career-high-tying five shutout innings.

RHP Inohan Paniagua (7.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 3 BB, 8 SO) surrendered just a single run over seven innings, collecting a quality start and his fifth win of the season for the Cardinals. LHP Hayes Heinecke (2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 SO) recorded the game's final six outs for Palm Beach to collect his third save.

RHP José Franco (3.0 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO) walked four and was saddled with a blown save and his fourth defeat for Daytona.

The Tortugas will attempt to return to the win column on Wednesday. RHP Julian Aguiar (4-5, 4.01) is projected to take the hill for Daytona in game two of the series. Palm Beach is scheduled to counter with RHP Tink Hence (0-1, 1.53). Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:15 p.m. leading up to the 6:30 p.m. first pitch from Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

After the six-game road swing, the Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Monday, July 4, to open up a series against the St. Lucie Mets, the Florida State League affiliate of the New York Mets. It will be an Independence Day Celebration in Daytona Beach featuring patriotic, red-white-and-blue Best Dressed Uniforms that will be auctioned off throughout the season. There will be special on-field games and activities around the ballpark and, after the final out, fans are encouraged to stick around for a fabulous Fourth of July Fireworks Show. Gates open at 6 p.m. and first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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.