Threshers tame Triana, Tortugas, 8-2

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - 1B Michel Triana remained hotter than the Daytona Beach sunshine, collecting three more hits on Wednesday night. However, the Clearwater Threshers utilized 16 walks to their advantage, defeating the Daytona Tortugas, 8-2, in front of 1,152 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Scoreless through three, Daytona (12-14) managed to break the tie. Consecutive knocks from Triana (3-4, R) and CF Allan Cerda (1-4, 2 SO) started the frame. Following a wild pitch, C Daniel Vellojín (0-3, RBI) lofted a sacrifice fly to left-center to put the Tortugas ahead, 1-0.

The lead was short-lived, as Clearwater (13-13) thrust ahead in the fifth. With men at the corners and two out, SS Luis García (2-5, 3 RBI, BB, SO) looped a liner over the head of the first baseman and into right field for an RBI single, tying it at one. A wild pitch on ball four to the subsequent hitter CF Johan Rojas (0-5, RBI, BB, SO) enabled the Threshers to squirt in front, 2-1.

An inning later, the visitors would put the game out of reach. After loading the bases on a pair of walks and a single from C Juan Aparicio (1-4, 2 R, BB), another free pass with the sacks full to 2B Nicolas Torres (0-2, R, RBI, 3 BB) extended the lead to two, 3-1. The Threshers tacked on three more tallies in the inning on a wild pitch, a bases-loaded walk to García, a fielder’s choice to third off the bat of Rojas.

Daytona trimmed a run off the deficit in the seventh when DH Garrett Wolforth (1-4, R, 2B, SO) dented the right-field padding with a double and crossed on a two-out throwing error.

In the ninth, the Threshers tacked on two more insurance runs. With the bases full via free passes, 3B Edgar Madé (0-1, R, RBI, 3 BB) stung a sacrifice fly to left, and García rifled one more run-producing knock.

RHP Jason Parker (4.2 IP, H, R, ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) was outstanding in his start yet again for the ‘Tugas. The 23-year-old issued just one hit over 4.2 innings but took home a no-decision.

His counterpart — RHP Cristian Hernández (5.0 IP, 4 H, R, ER, 3 SO) — dazzled over five frames, earning his first victory of the season for Clearwater. Daytona’s RHP José Franco (0.2 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 5 BB, SO) took his first loss of the season out of the bullpen.

For the first time since Jackie Robinson Ballpark opened to full capacity, the largest party in Central Florida makes its return to Daytona Beach for a Bud Light Thirsty Thursday. Fans will be able to enjoy draft beer and fountain sodas starting at as low as $1.

Looking to snap their four-game skid, the Tortugas are anticipated to hand the ball to Low-A Southeast Pitcher of the Month for May, RHP James Proctor (2-0, 0.45). The Threshers are projected to counter with RHP Mick Abel (0-2, 4.50), the Phillies’ No. 2 prospect per Baseball America. Gates open at 6 p.m. with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network and www.daytonatortugas.com will begin with the Pregame Show starting at 6:50 p.m. ET.

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 Low-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of Minor League Baseball’s Low-A Southeast. The Tortugas play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in downtown Daytona Beach. 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.