Sour seventh topples Tortugas, 9-4

CLEARWATER, Fla. - In a back-and-forth contest, the Clearwater Threshers erupted for six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to derail the Daytona Tortugas, 9-4, on Thursday night at Spectrum Field.

Daytona (2-2, 37-32) held a 4-3 advantage heading to the bottom of the seventh, but Clearwater (3-1, 39-31) was able to load the bases with two outs via a pair of singles and a walk. Following a pitching change, the Threshers tied it on a bases-loaded walk to SS Nick Maton (1-2, R, RBI, 3 BB) then took the lead on a hit-by-pitch of DH Madison Stokes (1-4, R, RBI).
Now ahead 5-4, LF Jhailyn Ortiz (1-4, R, HR, 4 RBI, 2 SO) stepped in and punished a 1-0 offering to deep right-center field. The clout landed on the outfield berm for a grand slam - his 11th home run of the season - to give the Threshers a five-run advantage, 9-4.
The Tortugas initially snagged a 1-0 edge in the top of the second. 3B Jonathan India (1-3, R, 2B, SO) began the attack with a double to left. After the 22-year-old moved to third on a fly out to right, SS José Garcia (3-4, 2 R, 2B, RBI) brought him home with an RBI knock to right.
Clearwater snagged the lead for the first time in the bottom of that frame. Following back-to-back singles to begin the inning, 2B Dalton Guthrie (2-3, R, 2B, RBI, BB, SO) tied it at one with a double off the wall in right field. With the bases full and nobody out a double play off the bat of Stokes chased home a tally to put the Threshers up, 2-1.
In the fourth, the Tortugas jumped back ahead as they loaded the bases courtesy of a two-out single and consecutive errors in the infield. LF Lorenzo Cedrola (1-4, 3 RBI, SO) made sure Clearwater paid for their mistakes, as he dunked a two-run single into right to put Daytona back in front, 3-2.
C Rodolfo Durán (0-4, RBI, 3 SO) evened the game up at three in the fifth with a sacrifice fly to left before the Tortugas took the advantage back in the top of the sixth on a run-scoring fielder's choice by Cedrola.
RHP Austin Ross (2.0 IP, 2 SO) did not allow a hit in his two innings of relief and garnered his third win out of the bullpen for Clearwater. Daytona's RHP Aneurys Zabala (1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) struggled mightily with his command as all three of his bequeathed runners came home to score. As a result, the Santo Domingo, D.R. native was saddled with his first loss.
Neither starter received a decision in the contest. RHP Austin Orewiler (4.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) battled through four innings for the Tortugas, while Clearwater's major league rehabber RHP Tommy Hunter (1.0 IP, SO) retired all three batters he faced.
In his second rehab game, 2B Scooter Gennett (1-4) played seven innings for Daytona. The 2018 National League All-Star popped out to short in the first, grounded out sharply to second in the third, singled on the first pitch he saw in the fifth and flied out to center in his final at-bat in the seventh. He was replaced defensively by 2B Yonathan Mendoza in the bottom of the eighth, as scheduled.
The Tortugas will look to rectify their transgressions in game two of the series on Friday. Daytona has not announced their starter for the contest yet. Clearwater is scheduled to give the ball to LHP Ethan Evanko (3-2, 1.53 ERA).
The Tortugas Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:15 p.m. ET, leading up to the 6:30 p.m. ET start at Spectrum Field. Friday evening's game can be heard on www.daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
After an off day on Monday, the Tortugas will return to Daytona Beach to open up a nine-game homestand starting with three contests against the Tampa Tarpons, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, on Tuesday, June 25. It will be a Silver Sluggers Night presented by MetCare at the ballpark, as members of the Tortugas' exclusive 60-and-older club receive a free drink, discounted Michelob Ultra, and a reserved ticket for every Tuesday night home game. Fans will also be able to join in with Baseball Bingo through the night. It will be another Cancer Awareness Night at the ballpark presented by Radiology Imaging Centers. Daytona players and coaches will don special pink-tinted uniforms that highlight many local cancer survivors. Fans are encouraged to come hungry for a Taco Tuesday at The Jack with beef and chicken tacos going for just $2.
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.