Parks, Cardona power Tortugas to four-hit shutout, 8-0

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — RHP Hunter Parks and RHP Ryan Cardona each collected one of the best outings in their young professional careers. The duo of 2021 draft selections united on a four-hit blanking of the Clearwater Threshers, as the Daytona Tortugas throttled their way to an 8-0 victory in front of 835 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Wednesday night.

Scoreless entering the home third, the Tortugas (14-28, 43-64) flexed their muscle with a two-out rally. Following a four-pitch walk to CF Hector Rodríguez (1-3, R, BB, SO), RF Jack Rogers (1-4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 SO) clobbered a 1-1 pitch in the direction of the beach volleyball courts beyond the right-center field wall. The ball sailed out for the Spring, Texas native's sixth home run of the season — traveling 435 feet with an exit velocity of 111 mph — put Daytona in front, 2-0.

It remained a two-run contest until the 'Tugas erupted to send all nine hitters to the plate in the eighth. 3B Austin Callahan (1-3, R, 2B, BB) began the frame with a double into the right-field corner and, with one out, Rogers appeared to strike out on an offering up and in. However, the pitch squirted away from the catcher and the throw to first in an attempt to retire the hitter trickled into right field. Callahan scored, while Rogers took second on the error, giving Daytona a 3-0 lead.

After an intentional walk to 1B Yassel Pino (1-1, R, 2 BB) set up a potential inning-ending double play, SS Edwin Arroyo (1-4, R, 2B, RBI, 2 SO) rocketed the first pitch he saw over the right fielder's head. Rogers crossed the plate, while Pino stopped at third on the double, increasing the advantage to 4-0.

Once more, the first pitch of a plate appearance was barreled when DH Trey Faltine (1-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 SO) roped the next offering after Arroyo's two-bagger all the way to the left-field wall. Two men came home on the 2022 seventh-round pick's first career extra-base hit, ballooning the cushion to six.

Following a walk to C Wilfred Astudillo (0-3, R, BB, 2 SO) later in the inning, a pair of wild pitches enabled Faltine and the switch-hitting backstop to score, capping the Tortugas' nine-batter, six-run bottom of the eighth.

Parks (5.0 IP, 4 H, 4 SO) was marvelous to start for Daytona, matching a career-high in innings pitched (5.0). The 21-year-old also posted his first walk-free outing since game one of a doubleheader on June 5 in St. Lucie, ultimately earning his third victory of the season.

Cardona (4.0 IP, 3 H, 8 SO) followed and was equally impressive in carrying the Tortugas through the finish line. The Livingston, N.J. native set a new career-best with eight strikeouts over a career-high-matching four innings, garnering his fourth save of the campaign.

RHP Starlyn Castillo (4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO) struck out six and yielded just the two-run blast to Rogers in the third. However, the 20-year-old was saddled with his fifth loss of the year for Clearwater (15-29, 50-59).

The biggest party in Central Florida returns to the World’s Most Famous Beach when the series resumes with a Thirsty Thursday™ presented by Bud Light. All fans will be able to beat the heat and enjoy their favorite draft beer or fountain soda for as low as $1 at concession and beer stands throughout the night. The first 1,000 fans through the gates that evening will receive a Military Appreciation Hat presented by Daytona Beach International Airport as part of the Tortugas’ Military Appreciation Night. Veterans and their families can also purchase discounted tickets through the appropriate FEVO link. Players and coaches will also sport special patriotic-themed Best Dressed Uniforms that will be auctioned off through the team website.

The Tortugas are expected to hand the ball to RHP Tanner Cooper (4-3, 3.21) for his first start since being reinstated off the injured list last week. The Threshers are projected to counter with LHP Jordi Martínez (3-6, 4.28) 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.