Rodriguez, Collier's Extra-Base Knocks Not Enough as Tortugas Fall 8-5

DAYTONA BEACH—Hector Rodriguez crushed his 14^th homer of the season and Cam Collier doubled twice, but the Bradenton Marauders broke up open a tie game in the fifth inning and kept the Daytona Tortugas at arms-length the rest of the way as Daytona fell 8-5 on Wednesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Bradenton (7-4, 42-34) drew double-digit walks for the second night in a row as Daytona (7-4, 36-40) issued 11 free passes, while the Marauders also pounded out 11 hits and stole five bases.

Daytona threatened in the first inning against Bradenton starter Owen Kellington. A one-out walk was followed by a Sal Stewart single, the latter of which extended his hitting streak to 12 games. The Tortugas pulled off a double steal on a strikeout for the second out, but a groundout ended the inning, stranding two men in scoring position.

In the second, Bradenton proceeded to strike first against Arij Fransen. After a quick first out, four straight Marauders reached as two singles and a walk loaded the bases with one out. Jesus Castillo followed by hitting a sharp grounder into right field that scored two runs, putting the Marauders ahead 2-0.

Daytona, though, had an answer. A leadoff single was followed by a fielder’s choice where Victor Acosta reached. Acosta then stole second and scored on a Logan Tanner RBI single. Rodriguez by blasting a 1-0 pitch from Kellington down the right field line that carried over the fence for a two-run shot. His big fly pulled Daytona ahead 3-2.

In the third, Fransen recorded the first two outs, but Bradenton then brought the equalizer. Rodolfo Nolasco blasted a 2-1 delivery from Fransen 429 feet away over the center field wall, tying the game at three apiece.

After both pitchers spun 1-2-3 fourth frames, Bradenton re-gained the lead in the fifth. The inning began with back-to-back bloop doubles, with the second one from Jack Brannigan scoring a run. After a walk and a double steal, Shalin Polanco rolled a two-run single up the middle of a drawn-in infield, extending the Bradenton lead to 6-3.

In the bottom of the fifth Julian Bosnic entered and issued back-to-back walks with one out. After a wild pitch moved along both runners, a passed ball brought home Carlos Jorge to close the gap to 6-4.

However, Bradenton would extend the lead in the seventh inning. With Rob Hensey working his second inning of relief, Nolasco connected for a two-run home run, his second of the night, extending the Bradenton lead to 8-4.

The Tortugas pounded out two hits in the seventh and three more in the eighth, but were unable to come up with the clutch hit they needed, as they failed to score in either frame.

In the ninth, two walks brought up Collier, who laced a ground-rule double to left-center, his second in as many innings, which brought home a run. The hit also brought the tying run to the plate with two men on base. However, Yassel Pino fouled out to first, ending the ballgame as Daytona fell 8-5.

The Tortugas will play game two against the Bradenton Marauders Wednesday night. Both teams’ starters are still to be announced. Tomorrow night will be Thirsty Thursday featuring beer and soft drink specials beginning at just $1. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. with pregame coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network with the Voice of the Tortugas Brennan Mense begins at 6:20 from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

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.