Rodriguez and Almonte Big Nights Not Quite Enough in 4-3 Defeat

DAYTONA BEACH—Hector Rodriguez had three hits and two RBI while Ariel Almonte reached base four times, but the St. Lucie Mets held off the Daytona Tortugas 4-3 on Thursday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Daytona (13-18, 42-54) rapped out 12 hits, but also stranded a dozen baserunners as St. Lucie (10-23, 34-64) scored all four runs with two outs to snap a five-game skid and earn their first victory of the series.

The Tortugas had a golden opportunity to take an early opportunity to jump in front off St. Lucie starter Felipe De La Cruz. Two singles opened the inning, before a one-out walk loaded the bases. However, a tapper to the mound netted a forceout at the plate and a fielder’s choice to third allowed De La Cruz to escape unscathed.

Daytona starter Gabriel Aguilera struck out two in a 1-2-3 second, then was rewarded by his offense. A pair of singles set the stage for Rodriguez, who stroked his second hit in as many innings, a single to right which brought home Ariel Almonte to give Daytona a 1-0 lead.

Aguilera faced the minimum as well in the third, then struck out the first two batters he faced in the fourth. However, St. Lucie then embarked on a two-out rally. A single and throwing error moved a runner to third base and Jose Hernandez brought him in with a double to the right field corner, tying the game. Karell Paz followed with an RBI single up the middle to give the Mets a 2-1 lead.

Daytona then drew even in the bottom of the fifth inning. A pair of singles put runners on the corners with two outs for Yassel Pino, who lined a double to left-center to bring home Sal Stewart, evening the score at two apiece.

St. Lucie, though, put together another two-out rally in the sixth, this time against Nestor Lorant. A pair of walks put two on for Yeral Martinez, who ripped an RBI single to right to break the tie. Kevin Villavicencio followed with a pop-up back of first, but a miscommunication allowed the ball to fall, scoring what proved to be the deciding run, putting St. Lucie up 4-2.

The Tortugas threatened right back, as Almonte walked, moved to third on two balks, then came home on an infield single from Rodriguez, the third hit and second RBI for Rodriguez. After a walk and wild pitch, Cam Collier jumped on the first pitch and ripped a rocket to center. However, St. Lucie center fielder Nick Morabito ran down the drive at the warning track to end the inning and preserve the 4-3 lead.

Both teams had additional chances to score. St. Lucie drew five walks in the eighth and ninth innings, but Jacob Heatherly struck out four and gutted through 2.0 difficult, but scoreless innings.

Almonte drew another walk in the eighth, his fourth time on base in the game, and was lifted for pinch-runner Carlos Jorge, who was caught stealing on a strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play, making a double by Victor Acosta immediately afterwards sting a bit more. However, Rodriguez fanned to end the inning

Collier drew a one-out walk in the ninth, but St. Lucie reliever Elliott Johnstone retired the next two hitters to nail down a 4-3 win for the Mets.

The Tortugas will play game four against the St. Lucie Mets on Friday night. RHP Mason Pelio (2-4, 4.79) gets the ball for Daytona against St. Lucie RHP Landon Marceaux (0-2, 9.53). Tomorrow will be Pride Night and will feature postgame fireworks following the final out. First pitch from Jackie Robinson Ballpark will be at 6:35 p.m. with pregame coverage with the voice of the Tortugas, Brennan Mense, beginning at 6:20 p.m. on the Tortugas Radio Network.

Daytona Tortugas single-game tickets and ticket packages are on sale now at daytonatortugas.com, (386) 257-3172, or the box office at 110 East Orange Ave.

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.