Tortugas and Cardinals Split Wednesday Doubleheader

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla--Ricardo Cabrera blasted a tie-breaking home run in the sixth inning to lead Daytona to a 4-3 victory, though Palm Beach held off a seventh-inning rally in game two as they won 3-2 as the two teams split Wednesday's doubleheader at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

The first four innings roared by in game on as the two teams recorded just one hit apiece. Jose Montero spun 3.0 scoreless innings for Daytona and Jonah Hurney added a scoreless fourth frame. On the other side, Gerardo Salas shut down Daytona for the first four frames.

In the fifth, Palm Beach rallied against Gabriel Aguilera, scoring twice on a two-run double by Chase Davis to take the lead. Daytona, though, answered back as two singles were followed by a three-run home run by Trey Faltine to put Daytona in front 3-2.

The lead didn't last, though, as Palm Beach cashed in a leadoff single on a sacrifice fly by Miguel Villarroel to even the score at three apiece. Daytona pulled back in front, however, as Cabrera launched Salas' first pitch with one out in the sixth over the left field fence.

With the lead restored, Aguilera allowed two hits to begin the seventh, but Davis was thrown out after oversliding second. A groundout against a drawn-in infield cut down the potential tying run at the plate and a groundout ended the game as Daytona won 4-3.

In the second contest, once more there was little to note offensively, as both teams were scoreless in the first three innings.

In the fourth, Daytona opened with three straight hits, but Sammy Stafura was cut down at the plate on the third hit for the first out. After a foulout, a pickoff throw to third hit Cabrera in the back of the helmet and rolled away, allowing him to score for the game's first run.

Daytona's Brian Edgington spun 5.0 scoreless innings, striking out six and scattering four hits, leaving with a 1-0 lead for Anyer Laureano.

However, Laureano allowed a triple to Kade Kretzschmar, who scored on a balk, then a two-out solo blast to Davis to put Palm Beach up 2-1. The Cardinals added another run in the seventh on a two-out RBI double from Sammy Hernandez.

Leading by two, Palm Beach's Darlin Saladin gave way to Zach Showalter after 6.0 innings of one-run ball. With one out, Ariel Almonte tripled and scored on an Esmith Pineda single. Faltine then pinch-ran and stole second with one down. However, Showalter struck out the next two batters to end the game.

Daytona and Palm Beach will play game three of the series on Thursday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. It will be a Taps and Tacos Thursday with half-price draft beer and sodas, plus a special Jimmy Cincinnati taco special tomorrow night only. Gates will open at 5:30 with first pitch at 6:35 p.m. Pregame coverage on MiLB.tv and Bally Live with the Voice of the Tortugas Brennan Mense will begin at 6:25.