Three combine on three-hit shutout, as Daytona blanks Jupiter, 5-0
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — For the second time in three games, Daytona's pitching staff was untouchable. The team carried a combined no-hitter into the seventh, as RHPs Sam Benschoter, José Franco, and Ryan Cardona united on a three-hit shutout in the Tortugas' 5-0 victory over the Jupiter Hammerheads in front
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — For the second time in three games, Daytona's pitching staff was untouchable. The team carried a combined no-hitter into the seventh, as RHPs Sam Benschoter, José Franco, and Ryan Cardona united on a three-hit shutout in the Tortugas' 5-0 victory over the Jupiter Hammerheads in front of 1,448 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday night.
Scoreless through two and a half, Daytona (12-14) percolated in the third. C Wilfred Astudillo (1-4, SO) started the rally with a first-pitch single to left but was immediately erased on a fielder's choice.
After SS Gus Steiger (0-4, R) advanced to second on a wild pitch, RF Austin Hendrick (1-4, R, 2B, RBI, 2 SO) sent a line drive into right for a base knock. Steiger scored easily, while the 20-year-old hustled into second with a double to put the Tortugas ahead 1-0.
CF Jay Allen II (2-4, R, 2 2B) continued the onslaught by drifting a fly ball to right. With 20 mph wind gusts out to that part of the ballpark, the shot sailed off the right-field wall. Hendrick had to hold up at second to make sure it wasn't caught, advancing only one base to third, while Allen motored into second with a two-bagger.
A five-pitch walk to LF Jamal O'Guinn (0-2, R, 2 BB, SO) loaded the bags for 1B Michel Triana (2-4, R, HR, 4 RBI, SO). On the first pitch he saw, the 23-year-old blasted a ball out of sight beyond the auxiliary parking lot behind the right-field fence. Triana's grand slam — his first home run of the season — stretched the Daytona advantage to 5-0.
That was more than enough offense for the Tortugas' pitching staff. Benschoter (5.0 IP, 3 BB, 6 SO) marveled with his second shutout and hitless performance of the year, tossing five strong frames to start, earning his second victory.
The Tecumseh, Mich. native handed the reigns over to Franco (3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 SO) who carried the hitless bid into the seventh. Following a pair of walks in the frame, 3B Javier Sanoja (1-3) broke up the no-hitter with an 0-2 single to center, loading the bases. Franco managed to keep the shutout intact, though, inducing a swinging strikeout to end the rally.
In the ninth, Cardona (1.0 IP, H) permitted a leadoff single, but that was the only baserunner he'd allow. The Livingston, N.J. native forced a fly ball to center and a line-drive unassisted double play to first to end the game, securing Daytona's second shutout win of the series and third of the year.
RHP Gabe Bierman (3.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) surrendered all five of the game's runs in the third and suffered his first loss of the season for Jupiter (13-13).
The series wraps up on Sunday with the Tortugas' Mother's Day Celebration Extravaganza. There will be flower giveaways throughout the contest, raffles awarded each inning featuring special prizes, and fans can enjoy Mama’s Porch Rocker drink specials at the concession stands. As part of the festivities, moms and their guests are advised to arrive early to have a catch on the legendary Jackie Robinson Ballpark field. The homestand finale also brings a Shelldon’s Family Fun Night. Members of the brand-new kids and family plan receive tickets to every Sunday home game in addition to a Tortugas’ hat, a meal voucher — good for a free hot dog, popcorn, and small fountain drink — at the gates. After the final out, youngsters take the diamond with Kids Run The Bases presented by Neighbor’s Ice Cream Parlor.
The Tortugas are expected to give the ball to RHP Arij Fransen (1-1, 5.63), who earned the victory in relief on Tuesday night. The Hammerheads are projected to counter with LHP Sandro Bargallo (1-0, 0.48). Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 5:20 p.m. leading up to the 5:35 p.m. first pitch from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
Season tickets, 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.
Don't sleep on these prospects at Spring Breakout -- 1 from each team
The second edition of Spring Breakout is bursting with high-profile prospects. Seventy members of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 are slated to participate, including Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony (No. 2), Tigers outfielder Max Clark (No. 6), Red Sox infielder Kristian Campbell (No. 7), Rays shortstop Carson Williams (No. 9) and
Meet the 14 women who run MiLB teams
From California to Massachusetts, from Arkansas to Iowa, leadership in professional baseball is evolving. Coming into the 2025 season, there are 14 women in general manager positions across Minor League Baseball. When most fans think of the GMs in baseball, they likely assume the job is all about building a
2024 Draft class gets early chance to take center stage at Spring Breakout
When players are taken in the early rounds of the MLB Draft, it’s easy to dream about seeing them under the bright lights of the big leagues, but a common refrain has been that fans don't get to see those players for years after they're selected. Thanks to Spring Breakout,
From Spring Breakout to MLB? Here are nine players who could soon be in The Show
The inaugural Spring Breakout in 2024 provided a platform for fans to meet many of baseball's top prospects before they began standing out in the Majors shortly thereafter. Paul Skenes striking out Jackson Holliday. Jackson Chourio reaching twice and scoring a run. Jace Jung hitting a pair of homers.
Brewers' 17-year-old international signee draws comparisons to Chourio
PHOENIX – A farm system loses an elite-level prospect like Jackson Chourio, who was the No. 2 overall prospect in baseball at the start of the 2024 season, to the big leagues, it’s easy to understand that it would take a hit in this year’s farm system rankings. So don’t
Cubs have MLB stars AND loaded farm system
MESA, Ariz. – It’s a testament to where a farm system is when a Top 100-caliber hitter gets traded away and there’s still a desire to tout the bats. The Cubs traded Cam Smith to the Astros in the Kyle Tucker deal, but they still have seven players on the
Griffin boosts Pirates system, known for producing arms, with some pop
BRADENTON, Fla. – The Pirates’ strength in pitching is obvious. This is the organization that drafted Paul Skenes after all and saw him become the National League All-Star starter one year later. Jared Jones and Mitch Keller serve as more developmental success stories on the bump, and Top 100 prospects
New Rays prospect additions fitting right into the organizational mold
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Thirteen members of the Rays’ Top 30 prospect list weren’t in the organization at this time last year. Two arrived in the 2024 Draft, one was a 2025 international signee and a whopping 10 have come over in trades since last March. Normally with that level
Headlined by big-name bats, Mariners' system strong on pitching depth, too
PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Mariners placed fifth in MLB Pipeline's new farm system rankings, thanks in large part to their seven Top 100 Prospects. That total ties them with the Cubs for the most in baseball, and all seven of them are hitters. Don't get the impression that the organization
All eyes turn to hurlers Sykora, Susana in Nats camp
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Last year in Spring Training, Nationals manager Dave Martinez named the section of young hitting prospects in big league camp led by James Wood and Dylan Crews "Hope Row." While Robert Hassell III and Brady House are still prospects, Wood has graduated and Crews will
Here are the prospects with the best tools in Spring Breakout
The inaugural edition of Spring Breakout was a rousing success last year. Sixteen games showcased not only many of baseball's best prospects but also some of the most jaw-dropping tools in the Minors. Of the 10 best individual attributes we highlighted a year ago, nine belonged to players who reached
Boston's 'Core Four' hitting principles breeding prospect success
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Boston was built to be a shining city on a hill, according to John Winthrop. Four centuries later, the Hub’s top three baseball prospects are meant to be a shining example atop the Red Sox farm system. Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer – the
Phils' teen catching prospect using ABS challenge experience to his advantage
CLEARWATER, Fla. – One of the storylines of Spring Training has been the implementation of the ABS challenge system in select ballparks across Arizona and Florida. But those in the Sunshine State might be a little more familiar with the tech than their southwestern counterparts. The Florida State League first
Texas' exciting crop of pitching prospects looks to spin the narrative
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Rangers haven't signed a fully homegrown pitching All-Star since Martín Pérez in 2007 and have ranked better than the Major League average in run prevention just once in the last 11 seasons. Not coincidentally, they won 90 games and the World Series when that happened in
The 10 best 2025 Spring Breakout rosters, ranked
Ding, ding, who’s ready for Round 2? Last year’s inaugural edition of Spring Breakout gave fans early looks at Paul Skenes, Jackson Chourio, Pete Crow-Armstrong, James Wood, Jackson Holliday, Ceddanne Rafaela and many other young stars who graduated off prospect lists in 2024. Not only does it serve as a
Yankees' prospect gains coming up long at short
TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees have a fascinating shortstop decision on their hands. You could say it’s the most interesting one since you-know-who retired in 2014. New York is battling going with a veteran presence in Isiah Kiner-Falefa or a prospect in Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza. It’s still too
Mets looking for top prospects to complement veteran stars
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The last time Juan Soto played in a Minor League game was back in 2018, when in the span of 39 games at age 19 he went from A ball to High-A to Double-A and then to the big leagues with the Nationals and never
'Eephus' director Lund talks movie on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minors radio legend exits the booth in Birmingham
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MLB's 2025 farm system rankings -- with a new No. 1
It’s time to crown a new king. After a three-year run for the Orioles atop our preseason farm system rankings, they’ve stepped off the throne, making way for the Tigers. The O’s had slipped from the top spot in our 2024 midseason rankings as they’d graduated a number of prospects