Jupiter jostles doubleheader sweep from Daytona

Héctor Rodríguez goes 3-for-6, scores three runs, triples twice, drives in a run over twinbill

CF Héctor Rodríguez went 3-for-6 at the plate with three runs scored, two triples, an RBI, and a stolen base over two games in Wednesday's doubleheader. However, the Jupiter Hammerheads swept the Daytona Tortugas, taking game one, 2-1, and game two, 9-3, at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. (Don Christian)

By Justin Rocke

August 24, 2022

JUPITER, Fla. — CF Héctor Rodríguez continued his offensive tear since coming over from the New York Mets organization at the trade deadline. The 18-year-old tripled twice and scored three runs over both games, but it was not enough for Daytona, as the Jupiter Hammerheads swept the twinbill from the

JUPITER, Fla. — CF Héctor Rodríguez continued his offensive tear since coming over from the New York Mets organization at the trade deadline. The 18-year-old tripled twice and scored three runs over both games, but it was not enough for Daytona, as the Jupiter Hammerheads swept the twinbill from the Tortugas, taking game one, 2-1, and game two, 9-3, on Wednesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

Daytona (16-33, 45-69) started the doubleheader on the right foot when Rodríguez (1-3, R) reached on a bunt single with one out in the top of the first. After swiping second and advancing to third on a throwing error, the Dominican native scored on 1B Yassel Pino's (2-3, RBI) single to right, giving the Tortugas a 1-0 edge.

It remained a one-run affair until the fourth. 1B Garrett Cooper (1-2, R, BB) — in his second-straight start on a Major League rehab assignment — ignited the frame with a two-strike single to center before scooting to second on a one-out walk to CF Brady Allen (0-1, R, 2 BB). C Joe Mack (2-3, RBI, SO) followed by slapping a single through the left side of the infield, scoring Cooper to tie the game at one for Jupiter (23-27, 57-57).

LF Jake Thompson (1-2, 2B, RBI, BB, SO) subsequently gave Jupiter the lead. The undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State smashed a double into left field. Allen came home, while Mack was thrown out trying to advance to third, placing the Hammerheads in front, 2-1.

The Tortugas threatened in the sixth, but could not even the contest. 2B Trey Faltine (0-1, 2 BB) coaxed a walk with one away and SS Edwin Arroyo (1-3, 2 SO) followed with a single to left. Alas, consecutive swinging strikeouts ended the rally.

Despite matching a career-high with five innings pitched, RHP Hunter Parks (5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 4 SO) was saddled with his sixth defeat of the year in his start for Daytona. The 21-year-old has walked just one and punched out eight over 10 innings in his last two starts.

LHP Sandro Bargallo (4.2 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 8 SO) tied a season-high with eight strikeouts for the Hammerheads but fell one out shy of qualifying for the win. RHP Josh White (1.1 IP, H, BB, 2 SO) earned the win out of the bullpen in his Jupiter debut and LHP Patrick Murphy (1.0 IP, BB, SO) recorded the final three outs for his fifth save.

In the nightcap, the ballgame began inauspiciously for the Tortugas when 2B Kahlil Watson (1-3, 2 R, 2 BB) started the game with a single to left. Four pitches later, 3B Jacob Berry (2-3, 2 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI) sent a towering two-run shot beyond the right-field fence. The 2022 sixth-overall pick's second career home run put the Hammerheads ahead 2-0. C Cameron Barstad (1-4, 3 RBI) capped the three-run frame with an RBI knock to left.

An inning later, Jupiter continued to pour it on. DH Hudson Livesey (1-3, 2 R, BB, SO) doubled to left-center to start the second for the first hit of his career. After taking third on a passed ball, Watson earned a walk and Berry lifted a sacrifice fly to left to make it a 4-0 affair.

However, on the play, Watson advanced to second on the throw to the dish and then took third when a throw to second base bounced into center field. Allen followed with a knock to left to drive in the run, padding the cushion to 5-0.

SS Carlos Santiago (1-4, R, 2 SO) picked up a one-out single to start the Hammerheads' rally in the third. Two more walks to Livesey and Watson loaded the bases before consecutive plunkings of Berry and Allen traced in a pair and ballooned the Jupiter lead to seven.

Daytona was able to chip away some in the fourth. 3B Austin Callahan (0-2, R, BB, SO) became the Tortugas' first base runner in the finale with a leadoff walk, and Rodríguez (2-3, 2 R, 2 3B, RBI) rocketed a ball into the right-field corner for the team's first knock. Callahan came in to score, as the 18-year-old chugged to third with a triple, making it a 7-1 contest. 1B Yassel Pino (0-2, RBI) poked a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Rodríguez.

Jupiter garnered those two runs back in the fifth. Berry began the inning with a double and Allen followed with a walk. After 1B Torin Montgomery (0-2, BB, SO) was drilled with a pitch to load the bases, a fielder's choice ground ball to first and a throwing error enabled two men to score.

The Tortugas snared the final run of the double-dip in the sixth. Rodríguez began the inning with a three-base hit off the center field wall and scored on DH Jack Rogers' (1-3, RBI, 2 SO) single to right.

Jupiter's RHP Luarbert Arias (4.0 IP, H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 5 SO) posted a season-high of four innings, but did not last the necessary five to qualify for the win in his first start of the year. RHP Jean Reyes (2.0 IP, 4 H, R, ER) collected his first Single-A victory in relief.

RHP Tanner Cooper (2.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, SO) yielded season-highs in hits and runs allowed and was saddled with his fourth loss for Daytona.

Daytona will try and even the series at two games apiece on Thursday night. RHP José Acuña (0-1, 2.39) is scheduled to take the hill for the Tortugas in game four of the series. The Hammerheads have not currently listed a probable starter. 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.

The Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday, September 6, to open up their final homestand of the 2022 regular season against the Tampa Tarpons, the Florida State League affiliate of the New York Yankees. The series opens with another Shell Yeah Cookout. The $15 add-on includes the full “Bases Loaded” menu during a 90-minute buffet with hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork, baked beans, cookies, Pepsi products, and more. It is also 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. Silver Sluggers Night presented by Conviva is a part of the festivities. The exclusive 60-and-older club features deals at the team store, concession stands for members, and more. The series opener also marks a Taco Tuesday with options at the concession stands starting at just $3.

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.