Lakeland lambastes Daytona in homestand opener

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — 1B Justice Bigbie collected a two-run double in the first inning and added a grand slam in the second as part of a six-RBI night for Lakeland, as the Flying Tigers toppled the Daytona Tortugas, 12-1, in front of 1,568 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday night.

Lakeland (17-18, 49-52) wasted no time getting their offense in gear. SS Peyton Graham (1-4, 2 R, 2 BB, SO) and DH Cristian Santana (1-3, 3 R, 3 BB) started the contest with back-to-back walks, while a pop out and a ground out created the game's first two outs.

On the precipice of escaping the jam, Bigbie (2-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 6 RBI, BB, 2 SO) lofted a ball over the right fielder's head. Two runs scored on the Chesapeake, Va. native's two-bagger, putting the Flying Tigers in front, 2-0.

In the second, Lakeland broke the game wide open. With the bases empty and two out, Graham walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error, while Santana followed with another free pass of his own. After a pitching change, CF Roberto Campos (1-2, R, RBI) scalded a run-producing single up the middle, stretching the visitor's lead to 3-0.

Following another walk that loaded the bases, Bigbie provided another colossal blow. The Western Carolina University alum wallopped a 1-0 pitch 445 feet beyond the batter's eye in center field for a grand slam. Bigbie's second home run of the year put Lakeland up a touchdown, 7-0.

The gopher ball made a return when the Tigers added to their lead in the fifth. Once more with two out in the frame, C Eduardo Valencia (3-4, R, HR, 2 RBI) launched an offering beyond the batting cages in left for a solo home run. The Venezuela native's fourth blast of the campaign made it an 8-0 affair.

Lakeland added two more to their ledger without a base knock in the sixth. The Flying Tigers loaded the bases on a hit batter and a pair of walks. RF José De La Cruz (1-4, RBI, BB, 2 SO) chased in a tally with a bases-loaded free pass and Valencia added a sacrifice fly to center, ballooning the advantage to double-digits, 10-0.

Daytona (10-25, 39-61) broke up the shutout with a long ball of their own in the sixth. Leading off the inning and in his first game since July 26, 3B Austin Callahan (2-3, R, HR, RBI, BB, SO) punched a solo home run beyond the right-field wall. The 2021 18th-round pick's fourth blast of the year pulled the Tortugas within nine, 10-1.

The Flying Tigers capped the scoring with one more big blast in the ninth. Trailing a leadoff single by Santana, PH-CF Austin Schultz (1-2, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB) powered a delivery into the auxiliary parking lot beyond the fence in right for a two-run home run. The Duke University alum's second homer of the year guided Lakeland to a 12-1 advantage.

LHP Kris Anglin (3.0 IP, H, BB, 4 SO) — acquired from the Atlanta Braves at the trade deadline – shined in his Lakeland debut, tossing three shutout innings in a no-decision. RHP Angel Reyes (4.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 2 SO) worked four frames to earn his third win of the year.

Making just his third start, RHP Kevin Abel (1.2 IP, H, 4 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, SO) was saddled with his first loss of the year for Daytona in his first appearance since July 15.

Fans are advised to arrive with an empty stomach as the series continues with a Belly Buster Wednesday presented by Marco’s Pizza. A long-standing fan favorite, starting at just $14, patrons will receive a bracelet and may indulge in all-you-care-to-eat hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, and popcorn at concession stands all evening long.

RHP Sam Benschoter (2-3, 4.15) is projected to take the hill for Daytona as they will attempt to snap their four-game slide. Lakeland is scheduled to counter with the Detroit Tigers' top prospect per Baseball America, RHP Jackson Jobe (2-4, 4.67). 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.

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.