Cardinals clip Tortugas' comeback bid in extras, 4-3

JUPITER, Fla. — In his first appearance since June 20 of last year at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, RHP Tanner Cooper punched out a career-high seven in his return to the hill. The Tortugas would rally to tie the game with two out in the top of the ninth, but CF Adanson Cruz's sacrifice fly to right in the bottom of the 10th was the difference, as the Palm Beach Cardinals bested Daytona, 4-3, in 10 innings at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Wednesday night.

Trailing 3-2 with the bases empty and two out, CF Austin Hendrick (1-3, R, 2B, 2 BB, SO) ignited a rally by earning a five-pitch walk. On a 1-1 pitch, RF Yerlin Confidan (1-5, 3 SO) followed with a sharp grounder into right field for a hit. As Hendrick went to third on the knock, the 19-year-old dashed towards second as the throw came in. Palm Beach (2-3) cut off the throw and tossed towards second, but the ball was misplayed. As the leather squirted on the dirt, Hendrick raced towards the plate and scored on the error to tie the game at three.

Still even at three after Daytona (2-3) failed to score in their half of the 10th, the Cardinals managed to close out the contest in the bottom of the frame. DH Sander Mora (0-3, 2 BB, SO) drew a walk with the automatic runner at second and 2B Franklin Soto (0-5, 2 SO) laid down a sacrifice bunt back towards the mound. The Tortugas had a play on the lead runner going to third, but the toss was off line and everyone was safe. On the next pitch, Cruz (1-4, RBI, SO) lifted a sacrifice fly to right to grant Palm Beach the 4-3 walk-off victory.

Unlike Tuesday, Daytona struck first in the second game of the series. C Hayden Jones (1-5, R, SO) ripped a one-out single and, two batters later, DH Danny Lantigua (0-4, SO) smashed a ground ball that snuck between the second baseman's legs for an error. With men at the corners and two out, SS Gus Steiger (1-4, RBI, SO) punched a base-hit into shallow right to put the Tortugas ahead 1-0.

Palm Beach responded in the third. SS Jeremy Rivas (1-5, 2 R, SO) reached on a dropped fly ball in right and advanced to second on a base-hit by 3B Osvaldo Tovalin (3-3, R, RBI, 2 BB). C Wade Stauss (1-5, RBI, 3 SO) quickly knotted the contest at one with a single to left.

The Tortugas managed to jump back ahead almost immediately in the fourth. 2B Sebastian Almonte (1-4, R, BB, 2 SO) garnered a leadoff walk and promptly swiped second base. Trailing a pair of strikeouts, 3B Reyny Reyes (1-4, RBI, SO) dunked a single into left to put Daytona back in front, 2-1.

In the home half of the fifth, the Redbirds squeaked ahead for the first time. Rivas started the frame with a first-pitch single and advanced to second on a balk before tying the game on a Tovalin single. After a knock by 1B Luis Rodriguez (2-5, 2 SO), RF Hansel Otamendi (1-4, R, RBI, 2 SO) ripped a sacrifice fly to center putting the Cardinals ahead, 3-2.

RHP Andre Granillo (1.0 IP, 2 SO) twirled a perfect inning of relief to earn his first victory of the season for Palm Beach. Daytona's RHP José Peralta (1.1 IP, H, R, 2 BB) was saddled with his first defeat in his season debut.

Cooper (4.0 IP, 5 H, R, BB, 7 SO) was magnificent in his first appearance in 297 days. The 22-year-old permitted just one unearned run over four frames adding the aforementioned seven whiffs in a no-decision. RHP Javi Rivera (4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 6 SO) picked up six punchouts in his professional debut in support of Cooper.

Palm Beach's RHP José Moreno (4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) also took a no-decision after going four innings.

Daytona will look to return to the win column on Thursday evening, as RHP Sam Benschoter (0-1, 10.13) is expected to make his first start of the season. Palm Beach is projected to counter with RHP Inohan Paniagua (0-0, 4.50). Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network and www.daytonatortugas.com will begin at 6:15 p.m. ET from Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, leading up to first pitch at 6:30.

After the six-game road swing, the Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday, April 19, to open up a series against the Bradenton Marauders, the Florida State League affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. It will be the first Breast Cancer Awareness Night of the season presented by Radiology Associates Imaging. The Tortugas will don special pink-clad uniforms that will be auctioned off at the end of the season with all proceeds to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. It is also the first Silver Sluggers Night of the campaign presented by Conviva, featuring deals at the team store and concession stands for members, and more. The series opener also marks the return of Taco Tuesday to Daytona Beach with options at the concession stands starting at just $3.

Season tickets, multi-game plans, group packages, and single-game tickets are currently available and can be purchased online at www.daytonatortugas.com or by calling the Tortugas’ Ticket Office at (386) 257-3172.

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.