Tortugas Blitz Flying Tigers Late In 15-4 Rout

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—The Daytona Tortugas scored five runs in the sixth and eight more in the eighth to overrun the Lakeland Flying Tigers as the Tortugas snapped a three-game losing streak in a 15-4 rout in front 2,687 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Friday night.

Daytona (18-13) set season highs in runs and hits and tied their season best in extra-base hits as they washed away three frustrating losses to Lakeland (20-11) that opened the series.

The contest began with two scoreless frames for each side, with Daytona starter Jose Franco especially dominant, going six-up, six-down with three strikeouts. However, the third inning was drastasically different as Lakeland scored three times on four hits, with the big blow coming in the form of a two-run home run by Alvaro Gonzalez. Lakeland led 3-0.

Daytona, though, battled back as Trey Faltine and Yerlin Confidan both doubled off Lakeland starter Zach Lee in the third to bring in the Tortugas first run. An inning later, Ariel Almonte connected on a hanging slider from Lee for his 10^th home run, a 399-foot blast down the right field line to cut the deficit to 3-2.

No further scoring occurred as both Franco and Lee worked 5.0 innings apiece. Nick Sando came on for Daytona in the top of the sixth and wobbled out of the gate as Lakeland loaded the bases with one out. A sacrifice fly from Cristian Santana stretched the Lakeland lead to 4-2.

In the bottom of the inning, though, Daytona took control. Following a leadoff walk issued by Quinn Gudaitis, an error put two men on for Malvin Valdez, who blasted a two-run triple to right-center that tied the game at four. Gudaitis departed for Garrett Hill, but Hill couldn’t stop the bleeding as Jack Moss singled in the go-ahead run. Confidan added a sacrifice fly and a flyball by Ricardo Cabrera was lost in the twilight, falling for an RBI double to cap off a five-run frame that put Daytona in front 7-4.

Armed with the lead, Sando was much sharper. He did issue a walk in both the seventh and eighth frames, but he struck out three batters in the eighth and did not allow any further damage.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Tortuga offense ambushed three Lakeland pitchers to put the game away. After loading the bases with no outs, Dominic Pitelli singled in two runs, Almonte added a two-run single to boost his nightly total to three RBI, and Valdez drove in his third run of the night. After the bases were re-loaded, Faltine came through with his career-high fourth hit, lining a three-run double into the left-field corner, capping off an eight-run frame where Daytona sent 12 men to the plate.

With a 15-4 advantage firmly in tow, Sando (2-0) returned for the ninth and set down the Flying Tigers 1-2-3, finishing not only his own victory, but a resounding skid-busting win for the Tortugas.

Daytona will play game five of the series tomorrow night against Lakeland. RHP Brian Edgington (1-1, 1.57) will take the mound for Daytona while Lakeland’s starter is to be determined. Tomorrow will see the first 1,000 fans through the gates will go home with a Tortugas tin lunchbox. First pitch from Jackie Robinson Ballpark is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. with pregame coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network with Brennan Mense begins at 6:20 p.m.