Reyes ruins Daytona's night, as Jupiter rallies, 6-3

24-year-old smashes go-ahead, pinch-hit grand slam with two outs in ninth

1B Bruce Yari clocked a home run in the sixth and a triple in the eighth, but Jupiter rallied for four in the ninth to stun Daytona, as the Hammerheads topped the Tortugas, 6-3, in front of 1,679 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Wednesday night. (Aldrin Capulong)

By Justin Rocke

July 17, 2019

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Down to their final out and - at one point - their final strike, Jupiter received a go-ahead, pinch-hit grand slam from Ángel Reyes, as the Hammerheads stunned the Daytona Tortugas, 6-3, in front of 1,679 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Wednesday night.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Down to their final out and - at one point - their final strike, Jupiter received a go-ahead, pinch-hit grand slam from Ángel Reyes, as the Hammerheads stunned the Daytona Tortugas, 6-3, in front of 1,679 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Wednesday night.

Jupiter (14-14, 35-56) accepted a one-out hit-by-pitch of C Nick Fortes (1-3, 2B, RBI, SO) in the ninth to begin a rally. Following a fielder's choice for the second out, Daytona (12-16, 47-46) - who led 3-2 - pulled within one strike of a win with 3B James Nelson (1-3, R, BB, SO) at the plate. After both he and CF Jhonny Santos (0-3, R, BB, SO) drew walks, Reyes (1-1, R, HR, 4 RBI) stepped in to pinch-hit for 1B Harrison Dinicola (0-2, BB, SO). On a 2-1 pitch, the 24-year-old hammered a ball over the right-field fence for a grand slam. Reyes' second home run of the season put the Hammerheads in front, 6-3.
Prior to the four-run ninth, Jupiter had not scored since the opening inning. In the first, DH Víctor Víctor Mesa (2-5, R, SO) led off the game with a hit and RF Jerar Encarnación (1-4, R) followed with a single to right. A misplay in the outfield allowed Mesa to score from first, putting the Hammerheads ahead, 1-0. Following a wild pitch that moved Encarnación to third, Fortes smashed a ground-rule double to left to drive in a tally and extend their advantage to 2-0.
Daytona began their comeback trail in the bottom of the second. After 1B-3B Yonathan Mendoza (1-4, R, SO) reached on a throwing error and moved to second on a ground out, LF Drew Mount (2-4, RBI, 2 SO) slapped an RBI single to right to pull the Tortugas within one, 2-1.
C Mark Kolozsvary (2-4, R, HR, RBI, 2 SO) tied it up for Daytona in the fifth. With two out in the inning, the former Florida Gator clocked a fly ball to right. Kolozsvary's clout sailed just over the fence for a solo home run - his fifth - to knot the contest up at two.
An inning later, it was 1B Bruce Yari 's (2-2, R, 3B, HR, RBI) turn. On the very first pitch he saw in the game - after entering for 3B Jonathan India (0-2, SO) in the top of the frame - the Waterloo, Ont. native destroyed an offering down the right-field line. Yari's towering bang sailed out of sight for another solo jack - his seventh - to put the Tortugas ahead for the first time, 3-2.
Neither starter received a decision on Wednesday. After issuing two runs in the first, RHP Mac Sceroler (6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 6 SO) yielded just a walk and a single over his final five frames for Daytona. LHP Braxton Garrett (5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) punched out five for Jupiter.
LHP Alex Vesia (2.1 IP, 2 H, 3 SO) was stellar in relief for the Hammerheads, hurling 2.1 scoreless for his third win. Despite pulling within a strike of the save, RHP Julio Pinto (0.2 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB) suffered his second defeat for the Tortugas.
The homestand wraps up with a Thirsty Thursday presented by Bud Light. Fans are encouraged to come out and be a part of the biggest party in Central Florida, as draft beers and fountain sodas can be purchased for just $1 all evening long.
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. Thursday evening's game can be heard on www.daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
Trying to avoid the sweep, Daytona is scheduled to hand the ball to RHP Austin Orewiler (6-7, 3.29 ERA) in the finale. Jupiter is expected to counter with Miami's No. 16 prospect entering the season according to Baseball America, RHP Jordan Holloway (2-7, 5.15 ERA).
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.