Jones' jolt helps 'Tugas tame Tigers, 5-3

LAKELAND, Fla. — After dropping 13-straight road contests entering the weekend, Daytona finished this road series with a different type of streak. C Hayden Jones smashed a go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the seventh to help the Tortugas come from behind to win their third in a row, 5-3, on Sunday afternoon to split the series with the Lakeland Flying Tigers from Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Trailing 2-1 entering the back third of the ballgame, LF Jamal O'Guinn (2-2, R, 2 2B, BB) ignited a rally for Daytona (27-35) with a leadoff walk but did not advance after a pair of fly outs to left field. RF Ashton Creal (0-4, R, SO) kept the inning alive with two outs, reaching on an error by the right fielder. A subsequent errant throw in from right, enabled O'Guinn to score and Creal to take third, tying the game at two.

Following a pitching change, the second offering was launched by Jones (2-4, R, HR, 2 RBI) beyond the wall in left-center field for a go-ahead, two-run home run. His second blast of the year — and of the 22-year-old's professional career — put the Tortugas back in front, 4-2.

Lakeland (31-32) promptly pulled back within a tally, 4-3, in the bottom of the frame. RF José De La Cruz (1-4, R) singled and scored all the way from first on a one-out two-bagger to left from LF Lazaro Benítez (2-3, 2 2B, RBI, SO).

In the ninth, Daytona snatched one last insurance run. 1B Yassel Pino (1-3, R, HR, RBI, BB, SO) deposited the first pitch of the inning over the fence in left-center field for a solo home run. The Miami, Fla. resident's first home run with the Tortugas — and his second of the year — stretched the advantage back to a pair, 5-3.

LHP Jayvien Sandridge (2.0 IP, 4 SO) — who had worked a perfect eighth inning — stayed on for the bottom of the ninth and slammed the door shut. The 23-year-old punched out a pair of hitters and induced an infield pop-up in a three-up, three-down frame to secure his third save of 2022.

Scoreless through three, the Tortugas punched first in the fourth. 2B Tyler Callihan (1-4, R) led off with a base hit to right and took second when 3B Michel Triana (0-3, SO) was drilled with a pitch. After a sacrifice bunt from O'Guinn, DH Jack Rogers' (0-4, RBI, 2 SO) ground out to second chased home Callihan, giving Daytona a 1-0 edge.

The Flying Tigers jumped ahead with two runs in the sixth. 3B Cristian Santana (2-4, R, 2 SO) and SS Manuel Sequera (2-4, R, SO) registered consecutive one-out knocks and, after a ground out advanced the runners to second and third, DH Justice Bigbie (1-4, 2 RBI, SO) slapped a hit of his own.

Both runners came around to score, placing Lakeland in the driver's seat, 2-1. However, Bigbie was thrown out trying to advance to second on the play, bringing the inning and rally to an end.

Neither starter factored into Sunday's decision. RHP Javi Rivera (5.0 IP, 3 H, 3 SO) — who had his start on Tuesday limited to one inning due to rain — hurled five shutout innings for the Tortugas. Flying Tigers' LHP Carlos Peña (5.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, BB, 6 SO) permitted a run over five frames.

RHP Brett Lockwood (2.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB) hurled two innings of relief for Daytona, collecting his first victory of the year. RHP Cam Brown (1.2 IP, H, 2 R, BB) was saddled with his first defeat for Lakeland after yielding two unearned runs.

Following Monday's league-wide off day, the Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday, June 21, to open up a series against the Jupiter Hammerheads, the Florida State League affiliate of the Miami Marlins. It will be a Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Radiology Associates Imaging. The Tortugas will don unique pink-clad uniforms that will be auctioned off at the end of the season with all proceeds to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. It is also a Silver Sluggers Night by Conviva, featuring special team store and concession stand deals for members, plus more. The series opener features Taco Tuesday with options at the concession stands starting at just $3.

Neither team has announced probable starters for Tuesday's series opener. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:50 p.m. leading up to the 7:05 p.m. first pitch from Jackie Robinson Ballpark

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.