Solo shots not enough in 6-4 loss to Tortugas

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (May 14, 2019) - The Stone Crabs connected on a season-high three home runs Tuesday, but the Daytona Tortugas spoiled a pair of pitching debuts in a 6-4 loss at Charlotte Sports Park.
Charlotte (19-19) left-hander Michael Plassmeyer went 4.2 innings in his Charlotte Sports Park debut, but gave up three runs on seven hits. He was piggyback by his former Bowling Green teammate Joe Ryan (0-1), who made his High-A debut.
In a scoreless game early, the Stone Crabs jumped on top of Daytona (19-18) starter Ryan Lillie (1-3). With one out, Vidal Brujan and Ronaldo Hernandez both lined singles before Moises Gomez walked to load the bases. Center fielder Thomas Milone then flew out to right to chase home Brujan and make it 1-0 Charlotte.
After Daytona tied the game on an Alejo Lopez double in the third, Carl Chester responded with a solo blast to left in the fourth to make it 2-1 Crabs.
The Tortugas rallied for a pair of runs in the fifth against Plassmeyer, scoring on singles from Hendrik Clementina and Drew Mount.
Down a run in the bottom of the sixth, Hernandez lined a home run to left to level the game at 3-3.
However, the Tortugas got to Ryan in the seventh. After a Jose Garcia single, Jonathan India dropped a double into left to put runners at second and third. After an intentional walk loaded the bases, Stuart Fairchild singled over shortstop with two outs to give Daytona a 5-3 lead.
India and Stone Crabs outfielder Garrett Whitley traded solo home runs in the ninth, but Daytona evened the series with a 6-4 victory.
The teams will meet again at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. The game will not be broadcast on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.