Tortugas Rally Late in Game One, Blanked in Game Two of Twinbill Split

WEST PALM BEACH, FL—Cam Collier hit a tie-breaking two-run homer to lead the Daytona Tortugas to a 3-1 win in the first game of a doubleheader, with the Jupiter Hammerheads taking game two 3-0 to secure a split decision on Friday evening at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

Daytona (18-20, 47-56) tied their season high of five consecutive wins with the game one victory before Jupiter (18-22, 53-53) held Daytona to just four hits in game two to snap the string, winning despite recording just two hits of their own.

In the opener, both pitchers faced the minimum in the first inning. In the second, though, Jupiter jumped in front against Daytona starter Gabriel Aguilera. With one out, Chase Luttrell jumped on a full-count delivery and blasted it into the right field bullpen for a solo home run, staking Jupiter to a 1-0 lead.

On the other side, Jupiter starter Brandon White set down the first nine Tortugas over three perfect innings. In the fourth, though, the Tortugas opened with consecutive singles, but White retired the next three batters as Daytona failed to cash in.

White turned in one more frame before handing off the 1-0 lead to Riskiel Tineo after turning in 5.0 scoreless innings. Against the new arm, Daytona took advantage.

With one out, Victor Acosta doubled to right. Hector Rodriguez then rolled a dribbler to the right side, with the throw to first sailing wide allowing Acosta to score on an error. Collier followed by blasting Tineo’s first offering halfway up the berm in right-center field for a two-run homer, the first for Collier since May 27. The timely blast broke the tie and gave Daytona a 3-1 lead.

After Bryce Hubbart (1-0) turned in a five-pitch, 1-2-3 fifth inning in his first outing since July 4, Brody Jessee came on to nail things down in the sixth. An infield single and walk began the inning, but he retired the next three batters, gritting through a 29-pitch inning.

Jessee returned in the seventh and again ran into trouble, walking two of the first three batters. However, he came back with a strikeout, then induced a lineout to Acosta to short to nail down his first professional save, which with it secured a 3-1 win in the opener.

In game two, Jupiter again took the lead in the second inning. After a one out walk issued by Mason Pelio, a ground ball that resulted in two errors put runners on the corners, which set up a groundout by Carlos Santiago to bring in a run. Mark Coley followed with a double down the third base line to drive in a second unearned tally, which put Jupiter ahead 2-0.

Daytona, meanwhile, for a second straight game struggled mightily against the Jupiter starter, this time Cole Kirschsieper. The lefty threw three hitless innings before allowing a leadoff hit to Rodriguez in the fourth. Even that, though, was quickly erased in a double play.

In the fifth, Jupiter added another run against Pelio. Santiago led off with a double to deep center, moved to third on a wild pitch and came home on a sacrifice fly from Spencer Bramwell, pushing the lead to 3-0.

Daytona mounted one last threat against Kirschsieper in the sixth, as Acosta and Rodriguez both singled with two outs. However, Collier rolled to first to end the inning.

Evan Taylor then entered in the seventh and allowed a leadoff single, but retired the next three batters to end a rapid 1-hour, 17-minute affair, which while being the fastest Daytona game since at least 2004, it wound up as a 3-0 defeat.

Daytona will play game five against the Jupiter Hammerheads on Saturday night. First pitch from the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches will be at 6:00 p.m. with pregame coverage with the voice of the Tortugas, Brennan Mense, beginning at 5:45 p.m. on the Tortugas Radio Network.

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.