Tarpons tackle Tortugas, 2-1, in seven-inning affair

TAMPA, Fla. — DH Hayden Jones clubbed his fifth home run of the year and RHP Tanner Cooper garnered a career-best nine strikeouts, but the Tampa Tarpons tripped up the Daytona Tortugas, 2-1, in a seven-inning contest on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The contest was delayed 2 hours and 31 minutes at the start due to lightning. Since the first pitch of the game did not come until 9:01 p.m. ET, by Minor League Baseball rule, a contest that started at the time or later cannot be scheduled for longer than seven innings.

It was a scoreless contest until Tampa (11-5, 38-44) took advantage of a defensive miscue in the third. RF Grant Richardson (1-2, R) led off the inning with the Tarpons' first hit on a single to left. After a fly out and a strikeout, DH Alexander Vargas (2-3, SO) slapped a single into left-center.

Richardson chugged all the way to third but was given the windmill to try and score after the ball was bobbled in the outfield. The relay to the plate was not quite in time, as the Indiana alum crossed on the miscue to put the Tarpons in front, 1-0.

In the fifth, 3B Marcos Cabrera (1-3, R, HR, RBI, SO) started the inning for Tampa with a bang. The right-handed swinger smashed the first toss of the inning well beyond the wall in left for a solo home run. Cabrera's team-leading 12th blast of the season doubled the Tarpons' lead to 2-0.

Daytona (6-11, 35-47) pieced together a rally to break up the shutout in the sixth. With one out, 2B Steven Leyton (2-3, 2B) smashed a line drive into the gap in left-center. The León, Nicaragua native motored to second and made the turn for third. The relay throw to the bag was in time, however, erasing Leyton for the second out.

Following a pitching change, Jones (2-3, R, HR, RBI) continued his assault on Tampa pitching. The 22-year-old powered a drive that clanged off the facing of the Outfield Bar in right for a solo shot. Jones' fifth home run of the season drew Daytona within a run, 2-1.

That was as close as the Tortugas would get, though. C Wilfred Astudillo (0-2, BB) earned a walk to start the seventh and his pinch runner, Luis Chevalier (0-0), moved into scoring position on a ground out.

With the tying run at second, RHP Harold Cortijo (1.1 IP, H, R, ER, BB, SO) induced a soft ground out to first to seal his second save and Tampa's 2-1 triumph.

It was a gut-wrenching defeat for Cooper (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, ER, 9 SO). The 22-year-old punched out a career-high nine hitters over a career-best-matching five innings. However, Cooper was saddled with his second loss.

RHP Tyrone Yulie (5.2 IP, 6 H, BB, 5 SO) — who was removed after the Leyton double in the sixth — posted 5.2 spotless frames. The Dominican native struck out five en route to his third victory.

The Tortugas will try and return to the win column on Thursday, as RHP Hunter Parks (2-3, 4.26) is projected to make the start. The Tarpons are scheduled to counter with RHP Yon Castro (2-4, 3.44). Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:15 p.m. leading up to the 6:30 p.m. first pitch from George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Friday, July 22, to open up a three-game series against the Palm Beach Cardinals, the Florida State League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. It will be Margaritaville Night at the ballpark featuring Best Dressed Uniforms worn by Daytona's players and coaches that will be auctioned off throughout the rest of the season. There will also be special food and drink items at concession stands to mark the occasion. Prior to the first pitch, fans will also be able to enjoy Live Music from Mike and Vin on the third-base riverwalk. Friday Night Happy Hour comes back to the ballpark, too, with special discounts on select draft beers at the concession stands.

Multi-game plans, group packages, and single-game tickets are 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 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.