Marrero mashes, Branche baffles, as Daytona rallies, 7-5

Tortugas rally from five runs down to snap four-game skid with win over Threshers

LF Wendell Marrero clubbed a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh, as the Daytona Tortugas erased a five-run deficit to defeat the Clearwater Threshers, 7-5, in front of 1,388 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Thursday night. (Aldrin Capulong)

By Justin Rocke

June 4, 2021

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Down by five and on the verge of their fifth-straight defeat, Daytona sprung to life, scoring once in the sixth and five in the seventh to erase the deficit. Thanks to LF Wendell Marrero’s bat and RHP Stevie Branche’s arm, the Tortugas came from behind to

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Down by five and on the verge of their fifth-straight defeat, Daytona sprung to life, scoring once in the sixth and five in the seventh to erase the deficit. Thanks to LF Wendell Marrero’s bat and RHP Stevie Branche’s arm, the Tortugas came from behind to topple the Clearwater Threshers, 7-5, in front of 1,388 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Thursday night.

Behind 5-0, the Tortugas (13-14) finally knicked a run across in the bottom of the sixth. DH Daniel Vellojín (2-3, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 BB, SO) hammered a double down the right-field line, moved to third on a ground out, and scored on another off the bat of Marrero (1-3, R, HR, 3 RBI, BB, SO).

A frame later, SS Gus Steiger (1-4, 2 R, BB) ignited the rally with a leadoff single and C Garrett Wolforth (2-4, R, BB, SO) followed with a walk. Trailing a balk that advanced the runners to second and third, 1B Michel Triana (2-4, 2 RBI, SO) lofted a sacrifice fly and CF Allan Cerda (0-5, RBI, 2 SO) produced a run-scoring ground out, pulling Daytona within two, 5-3.

Vellojín restarted the onslaught with the ringing two-bagger off the center-field fence. 2B Reyny Reyes (1-4, R, BB, SO) proceeded to poke a high pop-up into shallow center that was dropped — allowing Vellojín to score — to make it a one-run contest.

With the tying run aboard, Marrero dug in and stung a 3-1 offering down the left-field line. The 372-foot shot sailed on top of the batting cages for a two-run home run — his second of the year — to put Daytona in front for the first time, 6-5.

The Tortugas managed to tack on an insurance tally in the eighth. Steiger walked and Wolforth single to set up first and third for Triana who dunked a single into center, stretching the advantage to two, 7-5.

Branche (3.0 IP, 6 SO) — who entered with the team still trailing in the seventh — kept the foot on the gas pedal. Retiring the five of the first six batters he faced via the strikeout, the 24-year-old sat down the Threshers (13-14) in order in the ninth, closing out his second victory of the season. In all, Branche retired all nine men he faced and tied a season-best with punchouts.

Clearwater scratched across the first five tallies of the night, starting in the fourth. RF Carlos De La Cruz (1-3, RBI, BB, 2 SO) stroked an RBI single in the fourth, giving the Threshers an early edge. In the fifth, C Abrahan Gutiérrez (2-5, R, 2B, RBI, SO) rifled a run-scoring knock to center and later crossed on a wild pitch. CF Johan Rojas (2-5, 2 R, 3B, HR, 2 RBI) pummeled a delivery in the top of the sixth over the center-field wall for a two-run home run.

Neither starter factored into the decision in Thursday’s contest. RHP James Proctor (3.2 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 4 BB, 4 SO) issued his first run since May 9 for Daytona, while Threshers RHP Mick Abel (3.2 IP, 2 H, BB, 6 SO) struck out a career-best six.

RHP Dylan Castaneda (2.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) suffered his first defeat out of the bullpen for Clearwater.

The six-game homestand continues on Friday evening, as after the final out fans will be treated to another Fireworks Friday extravaganza. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the first pitch is set for 7:05.

The Threshers are projected to hand the ball to RHP Victor Vargas (2-0, 4.80) in game four of the set. No starter has yet been named for the Tortugas. 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.