Tortugas Fall Behind Early in 12-4 Defeat to End Homestand

DAYTONA BEACH—The Palm Beach Cardinals scored ten runs in the first three innings and cruised to a 12-4 win over the Daytona Tortugas in the series finale on Sunday evening at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Palm Beach (5-4) ends the series with four straight wins over Daytona (5-4) as the Tortugas look to regroup when they head out on the road to Bradenton next week.

Palm Beach got things started right away in the top of the first against Daytona starter Nicolo Pinazzi. After a strikeout to begin the game, things went awry for Pinazzi. A hit batter and a walk set the stage for R.J. Yeager, who ripped a two-run double down the left field line. With two outs, Carlos Linarez singled through the right side to drive in another run, putting Palm Beach ahead 3-0.

The Tortugas, though, rallied right back against Cardinals starter Hansel Rincon, loading the bases on a single, a hit batter, and a walk with no outs. After an RBI single from Sal Stewart, a sac fly and groundout brought in two more runs, tying the game at 3 apiece after just one frame.

However, the Cardinals kept hitting. With one out, two walks chased Pinazzi for Jean Correa. Michael Curialle greeted him with a three-run homer to dead center, which was followed immediately by a solo shot to left from Yeager. The rally continued as a double and an RBI triple from Linarez made it five runs in the inning and an 8-3 lead for the Cardinals.

In the third, Yeager struck again for Palm Beach. With runners on the corner and two outs, Yeager lined another double into the left-field corner, scoring both runners and giving him five RBI on the night. After three innings, Palm Beach led 10-3.

On the other side, the Tortuga offense dried up after the first inning. Rincon retired 11 straight batters after loading the bases to start his outing, making it through the second, third, and fourth with minimal trouble.

In the fifth, though, Daytona had a chance to make a serious dent. An error by Yeager followed by two walks loaded the bases with one out. Cam Collier followed with a chopper to second that brought in a run. However, Rincon induced a foulout and a lineout to center, stranding two men in scoring position and denying the Tortugas of a major opportunity, still trailing 10-4.

Ryan Cardona relieved Correa in the fourth and twirled three scoreless frames to start his outing. However, in the seventh, Palm Beach strung together three straight singles with one out, with Chris Rotondo driving in the run.

In the ninth, Jose Zapata put the finishing touches on the rout with a leadoff home run off Jefferson Ortiz, capping off the 12-4 win for Palm Beach.

The Tortugas will have Monday off before travelling to Bradenton for a six-game series against the Marauders beginning Tuesday. RHP Arij Fransen (1-0, 1.80) gets the ball for Daytona with Bradenton’s starter still to be announced. First pitch is at 6:30 with pregame on the Tortugas Radio Network and Bally Live with the Voice of the Tortugas Brennan Mense at 6:15 from LECOM Park in Bradenton.

Daytona Tortugas single-game tickets and ticket packages are on sale now at daytonatortugas.com, (386) 257-3172, or the box office at 110 East Orange Ave.

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.