Milone's mash tames Tortugas, 3-1

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - CF Thomas Milone 's two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth proved to be the difference, as the Charlotte Stone Crabs snatched the series finale from the Daytona Tortugas, 3-1, on Thursday night at Charlotte Sports Park.

Scoreless through the first three-and-a-half frames, Charlotte (20-20) got their offense rolling in that decisive fourth. After C Ronaldo Hernández (1-4, R) singled to right to begin the inning, Milone (1-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, SO) stepped up to the plate with one out. The left-handed swinger mashed a drive to deep right-center that sailed onto the boardwalk beyond the Stone Crabs' bullpen. The two-run shot - his second of the year - put Charlotte in front, 2-0.
Daytona (20-19) answered back with a tally of their own in the top of the fifth. 1B Bruce Yari (1-4, R, 3B, SO) tripled down the right-field line with one out and CF Stuart Fairchild (2-4, 2 2B, RBI, SO) followed with a knock into right-center. Yari scored on the 23-year-old's double to trim the Tortugas' deficit to 2-1.
The 'Tugas had an opportunity to tie it in the seventh, but Charlotte's defense kept them ahead. Fairchild picked up a one-out double to left, while C Mark Kolozsvary (1-2, BB, SO) poked a single through the left side. Stone Crabs' LF Garrett Whitley threw a laser to the plate to gun down Fairchild for the final out of the inning, keeping the home team in front.
Charlotte added insurance in the bottom of the eighth. After a pair of hit batters, SS Taylor Walls (1-3, RBI, BB) slapped a run-scoring single to left, making it a 3-1 contest.
It was a tough loss for Daytona's RHP Austin Orewiler (5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, SO). The 25-year-old surrendered just two runs on three hits but was saddled with his fourth defeat of 2019.
RHP Tobias Myers (4.0 IP, 5 H, R, ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) earned his third win of the year serving as Charlotte's "bulk" pitcher in the middle innings. RHP Jhonleider Salinas (2.0 IP, H) worked as the team's "opener" tossing two scoreless frames in a no-decision.
The team's seven-game road swing continues on Friday, as the 'Tugas pack up and head north to Tampa to open up a three-contest set against the Tarpons, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. RHP Mac Sceroler (3-0, 4.80 ERA) is expected to take the ball for Daytona in the series opener. Tampa is projected to counter with the Yanks' No. 26 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, RHP Glenn Otto (1-1, 2.78 ERA).
The Tortugas Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:15 p.m. ET, leading up to the 6:30 p.m. ET start at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Friday evening's game can be heard on daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
Following the road swing, Daytona will return home to The Jack to open up a four-game series against the Clearwater Threshers, High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, on Monday, May 20. It will be another Belly Buster Monday presented by Marco's Pizza, as a $13 game ticket gives fans access to all-you-can-eat hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, and popcorn. Additionally, it will also be Taste of Daytona Night with local eateries from Daytona Beach and Volusia County will provide samples on the Riverwalk, as a part of the Belly Buster Monday festivities. That evening's contest will be a twinbill starting at 5:30 p.m. ET with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. ET. Both contests will be seven innings in length with a roughly 30-minute break in between contests.
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.