Naughton sends Jays packing in 5-0 Daytona win

23-year-old hurls six scoreless, strikes out career-high-tying nine

2B Alejo Lopez extended his hitting streak to nine games by going 3-for-4 with a double and two runs batted in, as Daytona shutout Dunedin, 5-0, in front of 2,122 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Monday night. (Aldrin Capulong)

By Justin Rocke

April 22, 2019

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - LHP Packy Naughton made sure his first start at Jackie Robinson Ballpark was a memorable one. The West Roxbury, Mass. native tossed six spotless innings and tied a career-best with nine strikeouts, as the Daytona Tortugas blanked the Dunedin Blue Jays, 5-0, in front of 2,122 fans on Monday

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - LHP Packy Naughton made sure his first start at Jackie Robinson Ballpark was a memorable one. The West Roxbury, Mass. native tossed six spotless innings and tied a career-best with nine strikeouts, as the Daytona Tortugas blanked the Dunedin Blue Jays, 5-0, in front of 2,122 fans on Monday night.

The Tortugas wasted no time in giving Naughton some runs to work with. DH Randy Ventura (2-4, 2 R, 2 SO) started the bottom of the first with a bunt single and moved to second on a ground out. 2B Alejo Lopez (3-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI, SO) followed with a run-scoring single to right to put Daytona ahead, 1-0. After a knock by 3B Jonathan India (2-4, RBI), 1B Bruce Yari (1-3, R, 2B, RBI, SO) chased home another run to make it 2-0 with a sacrifice fly to left.
Daytona's offense would remain stagnant until Dunedin went to the bullpen in the seventh. Yari began the frame with a double down the left-field line and advanced to third on a wild pitch. With two outs, LF Miles Gordon (1-3, 2B, RBI) sliced a liner that sailed over the leftfielder's head. Yari came home to score on the 21-year-old's two-base hit, putting the 'Tugas up three, 3-0.
In the eighth, the Tortugas would put the final touches on a victory. Ventura reached on a single to ignite the rally and moved to third on a fielding error. Lopez and India followed with back-to-back run-scoring singles to stretch Daytona's edge to 5-0.
RHP Ryan Nutof (1.0 IP, H, 2 SO) entered in the top of the ninth and worked a scoreless inning to seal the Tortugas' fourth-straight win and second shutout of the season.
Naughton (6.0 IP, 3 H, BB, 9 SO) was stellar, retiring the first 10 batters he faced on Monday. The 23-year-old compiled six spotless innings for the second-consecutive start to earn his second triumph of 2019.
Dunedin's RHP Maximo Castillo (6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 7 SO) retired the final 11 batters he faced but was stuck with his second defeat of the year.
The Tortugas will go for the series triumph on Tuesday morning, as RHP Austin Orewiler (0-1, 0.00 ERA) is scheduled to make his third start of the season. Dunedin is projected to counter with LHP Nick Allgeyer (2-1, 1.15 ERA).
The Tortugas Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 10:20 a.m. ET, leading up to the 10:35 a.m. ET start at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Tuesday morning's game can be heard on daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
Tuesday will mark the Tortugas' first Education Day of the 2019 season. Local students from various Volusia County schools will take a field trip to Jackie Robinson Ballpark for a day of learning, fun, and baseball. Education displays will be set up by local partners along the Riverwalk located on the third-base concourse.
Season ticket and multi-game plans 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.