Tortugas Rally in Eighth to Nab Fifth Straight Win

DAYTONA BEACH—The Daytona Tortugas scratched across two runs in the bottom of the eighth and held the St. Lucie Mets to just four hits as Daytona swiped the series finale 2-1 on Sunday evening at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Daytona (14-19) tied their season high with their fifth consecutive win as St. Lucie (8-25) stranded ten runners as they lost the remainder of the series after taking the series opener.

The first two innings passed in rapid fashion as starters Mason Pelio and Jawilme Ramirez each went six-up, six-down in those frames.

St. Lucie threatened, though, to begin the third as Kevin Villavicencio led off with a double, which was followed by a walk. After a dribbler moved both men into scoring position, Pelio buckled down with a strikeout and a groundout to end the inning.

Pelio walked the leadoff man in the fourth, but retired the next three hitters to end the inning, as well as his outing, which lasted 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks with three strikeouts.

On the other side, Ramirez lasted just the two frames before giving way to Jordany Ventura, who worked around a leadoff hit batter in the third. Daytona did not record a hit until a Cam Collier infield single in the fifth, which did not turn into a run.

After Pelio departed, Jean Correa entered the contest and hit two batters in the fifth, but also struck out the side. After beginning the sixth with a punchout, though, trouble came. A walk and single put two on with one out. After a fielder’s choice, a wild pitch brought home Vincent Perozo for the game’s first run.

Ventura continued to vex the Tortugas offense, working around leadoff hits in the fifth and sixth. In the seventh a walk and single with one out gave Daytona two baserunners, but he retired the next two men to finish off 5.0 scoreless innings in relief.

In the meantime, Zach Maxwell (1-1) fired two scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out four to put Daytona in position for a comeback.

In the bottom of the eighth, Luke Bartnicki entered and Daytona found just enough offense. A leadoff walk to Yerlin Confidan was followed by a double down the right field line from Michel Triana. Hector Rodriguez followed with a dribble in front of the plate, but Confidan daringly took off for the plate after the throw to first. He successfully beat the return throw home to tie the game.

Bartnicki was then lifted for Elliott Johnstone, whose first pitch was chopped to the right side by Sal Stewart. The only out available, though, was a forceout at second, and Stewart reached on a fielder’s choice, bringing in Triana to put Daytona ahead 2-1.

John Murphy entered in the ninth and retired the first two hitters. He ran into a hiccup as a potential game-ending pop-up near the mound led to collision and the ball falling, leading to the potential tying run ending up at second. Murphy, though, struck out Wilfredo Lara on three pitches to end the game, nailing down a 2-1 win to cap off the series.

The Tortugas will have Monday off before heading to Jupiter to take on the Hammerheads at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium for six games beginning on Tuesday night. Starters for both teams are still to be determined. Pregame on the Tortugas Radio Network and Bally Live with the Voice of the Tortugas Brennan Mense at 4:45 from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

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.