Mets muck up series opener for Tortugas, 7-1
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - CF Jameson Hannah - acquired by the Cincinnati Reds in the Tanner Roark trade on Wednesday - reached base three times in his Daytona debut, but the St. Lucie Mets walked away with a 7-1 victory over the Tortugas in front of 1,285 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - CF Jameson Hannah - acquired by the Cincinnati Reds in the Tanner Roark trade on Wednesday - reached base three times in his Daytona debut, but the St. Lucie Mets walked away with a 7-1 victory over the Tortugas in front of 1,285 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Friday night.
The Tortugas (19-24, 54-54) got off to a positive start, as Hannah (2-4, R, 3B, BB, 2 SO) singled to center in his first at-bat. After moving to third on a wild pitch and a ground out, SS José García (2-4, 2B, RBI) scalded an RBI double down the left-field line to put Daytona ahead, 1-0.
In the fifth, St. Lucie (28-15, 60-49) jumped ahead for good. Following a leadoff walk, SS Manny Rodríguez (1-2, 2 R, 2B, RBI, 2 BB) uncorked a shot that bounced off the top of the fence in left-center. 3B Blake Tiberi (1-3, 2 R, BB) scored on the double to tie it at one. CF
St. Lucie continued to tack on in the seventh. A Tiberi single and a walk to Rodríguez began the frame, while LF Matt Winaker (0-3, R) proceeded to lay down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over. However, the throw to first was wild - enabling both runners to score, as Winaker moved to third - giving the Mets a three-run advantage, 4-1. A tally-creating single to center by DH Wagner Lagrange (1-4, R, RBI, BB, SO) increased the visitor's edge to 5-1.
The Mets would add two more insurance runs in the ninth on a double to right by 2B Carlos Cortes (2-5, R, 2B, RBI, SO) and a broken-bat blooper to left from C Mitch Ghelfi (1-5, RBI, 2 SO).
RHP Thomas McIlraith (2.1 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 SO) was stellar in relief for St. Lucie, hurling 2.1-spotless frames for his fourth victory of the campaign. Mets' LHP Thomas Szapucki (4.2 IP, 5 H, R, ER, 3 BB, 7 SO) fell one out shy of qualifying for the win.
Daytona's RHP Mac Sceroler (6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) was stellar yet again, tossing his second-straight quality start. However, the 24-year-old was saddled with his third defeat.
Overall, it was a stellar debut for Hannah. Over his final four plate appearances, the 21-year-old collected a walk in the third and added a triple into right-center in the ninth.
Daytona will look to snap their skid on Saturday, as RHP Austin Orewiler (7-7, 3.51 ERA) is expected to toe the slab. St. Lucie is scheduled to counter with RHP Luc Rennie (6-4, 3.96 ERA).
The Tortugas Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:50 p.m. ET, leading up to the 7:05 p.m. ET start at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Saturday evening's contest can be heard on www.daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
It will be another Shell-tastic Saturday at The Jack, as following the final out, fans will be treated to another stupendous Postgame Fireworks show.
Multi-game plans and single-game tickets are still 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 High-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of the 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 Beijing Shougang Eagles of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) and many large community events and initiatives throughout the season.