Harmon's Quality Start Sets Stage for Walk-off Win to Snap Skid

DAYTONA BEACH—Johnathan Harmon spun Daytona’s first quality start of the season and the Daytona Tortugas rallied from an eighth-inning deficit to defeat the Bradenton Marauders 4-3, thanks to a walk-off walk by Donovan Antonia on Saturday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Daytona (8-6, 37-42) snapped a five-game skid with their fourth walk-off victory of the season as the game fittingly ended on the last of 11 walks issued by Bradenton (9-5, 44-35) pitching.

In the top of the first, Harmon retired the first two hitters he faced. However, Termarr Johnson blasted a 1-0 pitch 418 feet to right-center for a solo home run, giving the Marauders a 1-0 lead.

After that, the zeroes began piling up. The Tortugas had ample opportunities against Bradenton starter Wilber Dotel, but leadoff runners in the first two innings were erased in the first two frames. Daytona also had runners at first and second with no outs in both the third and fourth frames, but failed to score in either frame.

On the other side, after a two-out walk in the second, Harmon started setting down Marauders at a dizzying rate. Harmon set down Bradenton in order in the third, then again in the fourth and fifth, striking out two batters in each of the latter two frames.

Having retired ten straight hitters, Harmon returned for the sixth, the first Daytona starter to do so this season. However, Enmanuel Terrero led off by crushing a 423-foot drive over the center-field wall for a solo homer, extending the lead. Harmon issued a one-out walk as well, but successfully finished the frame, now trailing 2-0.

Harmon went 6.0 innings, allowing two runs on three hits, two walks, and tying a career high with seven strikeouts. In the process, he earned the first quality start for a Tortuga this season and became the first Daytona pitcher to go 6.0 frames since 2021.

Daytona then went to work against new Bradenton pitcher Darvin Garcia to get him off the hook. Two walks and a single loaded the bases with two outs for Yerlin Confidan, who drew a bases-loaded walk to score the first Tortuga run. Garcia departed for Julian Bosnic, who deflected an infield single by Carlos Jorge which tied the game at two apiece.

Zach Maxwell entered the game in the seventh and struck out the side for Daytona, only to run into trouble upon returning in the eighth. A leadoff walk and single began the inning. After a strikeout, Josiah Sightler ripped an RBI double to put Bradenton back in front. Following a walk, Maxwell notched a strikeout for the second out. He departed for Juan Martinez, who in his Tortugas debut picked up a bases-loaded strikeout to end the inning.

In the bottom of the eighth, Ariel Almonte greeted new pitcher Elijah Birdsong with a single to left. After two flyouts, a wild pitch moved Almonte into scoring position. He departed for pinch-runner Antonia, who scored when Jorge lined a single into left-center, tying the game at three each.

Martinez (1-0) worked a scoreless ninth, pitching 1.1 hitless frames, allowing a walk with two strikeouts to set Daytona up for the ninth inning rally.

With one out, Cam Collier singled to right-center. He departed for pinch-runner Johnny Ascanio, who scampered to third on a single from Victor Acosta. Pinch hitter Cade Hunter was intentionally passed to load the bases for Antonia with the bases loaded. Bridsong proceeded to miss the plate on four straight offerings, handing the Tortugas a literal walk-off, 4-3.

The Tortugas will finish the series against the Bradenton Marauders on Sunday afternoon. Daytona’s starter is still to be announced while RHP Alessandro Ercolani (4-4, 3.88) gets the ball for Bradenton. Tomorrow will be Shelldon’s Family Fun Day with postgame Kids Run the Bases. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. with pregame coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network with the Voice of the Tortugas Brennan Mense begins at 4:45 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.