Tortugas Let Lead Slip Away in Series Finale in Jupiter

JUPITER, FL—Ryan Cardona spun 4.0 scoreless frames, Victor Acosta stroked three hits, and Cam Collier added a two-run double, but the Jupiter Hammerheads rallied from three runs down to defeat the Daytona Tortugas 5-4 on Sunday afternoon at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

Jupiter (22-17) improved to a league-best 10-2 in one-run games, including one-run victories in three of their four victories over Daytona (16-23), who dropped their fourth straight road series.

Daytona started things off well in the top of the first inning against Jupiter starter Collin Lowe. With one out, Carlos Jorge dropped down a bunt single and went to second when the throw to first sailed high. Two batters later, Sal Stewart rolled a single through the right side to give Daytona an early 1-0 lead.

After a scoreless second, Daytona added to the lead in the third. Acosta and Jorge both singled, setting the stage with one out for Collier, who rolled a sharp grounder down the first base line all the way to the right field corner, scoring both runners to put Daytona ahead 3-0 on the two-run double.

.@Cam_Collier16 rolls a two-run double up the first base line to add to the lead!

3-0 Tortugas in the 3rd! pic.twitter.com/oR2LGQpAuZ

— Daytona Tortugas (@daytonatortugas) May 21, 2023

On the other side, Cardona threw a 1-2-3 first, but navigated allowed a single and a walk in each of the next two innings. However, both times he stranded both runners before throwing a perfect fourth, ending his start with 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks with five strikeouts. In the process, Cardona ran his scoreless streak to 17.0 consecutive innings.

Luis Mey entered in the fifth and threw a 1-2-3 inning in his 2023 debut, striking out a pair of batters while eclipsing triple-digits on half a dozen pitchers.

He handed off a 3-0 lead to Tanner Cooper in the sixth, but Jupiter woke up. With one out, a walk and single preceded an RBI double to left-center from Chase Luttrell to put the Hammerheads on the board. One pitch later, Andrew Fernandez crushed a drive off the top of the left field wall. He settled for a long single that tied the game at three apiece.

In the seventh, Daytona fought back to regain the lead. Acosta led off with a first-pitch triple down the right field line. Hector Rodriguez followed by dumping a single to right to score Acosta, putting Daytona back in front, 4-3.

Jupiter, though, answered right back. After a leadoff error, Cooper (1-2) retired the next two batters to out himself on the brink of a scoreless inning. However, a single brought up Javier Sanoja, who ripped a line drive just out of the reach of Yerlin Confidan for a two-run triple. Jupiter was now in front 5-4 thanks to a pair of unearned runs.

Daytona then went six-up, six-down against Jupiter relievers Kyle Crigger and Evan Taylor, the latter of whom nailed down his seventh save of the season to secure a series victory for Jupiter.

The Tortugas will have Monday off before returning home Tuesday night to begin a six-game series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers. Starters for both teams are still to be determined. Tuesday is a Silver Sluggers Tuesday and Breast Cancer Awareness Night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. with first pitch at 6:35 p.m. Pregame on the Tortugas Radio Network with the Voice of the Tortugas Brennan Mense at 6:20 from Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

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.