Cardinals outlast Tortugas in offensive exhibition, 11-10

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - After a night full of heroics on Wednesday, the same luck did not fall Daytona’s way on Thursday. 1B Jacob Buchberger’s run-scoring single in the top of the eighth was the difference, as the Palm Beach Cardinals pinched an 11-10 victory from the Tortugas in front of 1,844 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Trailing 10-7, Daytona (17-22) rallied to draw even in the bottom of the seventh. Following a walk to CF Rafael Franco (0-2, R, 3 BB, SO), SS Gus Steiger (1-3, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 SO) reached on an infield single. With runners at second and third thanks to a throwing error on the play, SS Ivan Johnson (1-3, R, 2B, 3 RBI, 3 BB) stung one into left-center. Both men crossed on the 22-year-old’s two-base hit, pulling the ‘Tugas within one, 10-9.

With two out, 1B Leo Seminati (2-5, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, BB, 3 SO) ripped a grounder through the left side of the infield. Johnson raced home to score from second, tying the game at 10 apiece.

It would not stay even for long. SS Masyn Winn (5-6, 3 R, 2B, 3B, RBI) doubled off the right-center field wall to begin the eighth and advanced to third on a ground out. Trailing a walk to 3B Jordan Walker (1-3, 2 R, 2B, 2 BB), Buchberger (4-5, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI, SO) scorched a worm-burner into left. Winn scored on the single to give Palm Beach (12-27) the lead once again, 11-10.

The Tortugas managed to put the tying run aboard in the eighth and ninth innings, but could not come up with one last blow. 27-year-old LHP Kevin Marnon (0.2 IP, 2 SO) — making his first affiliated appearance since 2018 — entered with one out in the ninth and struck out the game’s final two batters to record his first professional save since August 27, 2018, with the Fort Myers Miracle.

Power was available in spades for both sides on Thursday. Winn started the contest with an infield single and scooted to third on a two-base throwing error. C Carlos Soto (1-5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, SO) subsequently deposited a home run beyond the fence in right — his second of the year — to give the Cardinals an early edge, 2-0.

In the bottom half, 2B Brandon Leyton (1-5, 2 R, 2B) banged a one-out double. Two batters later, Seminati wallopped a 2-1 offering over the batting cages in left for a two-run clout. The Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy native’s third home run of the season traveled an estimated 450 feet and tied it at two.

Palm Beach snared the lead with runs in the second and third courtesy of a Winn triple and a solo home run by Buchberger, the first of his professional career.

Trailing 4-2, the Tortugas sent 10 men to the plate in the home fourth. Leyton was plunked to begin the inning and RF Austin Hendrick (1-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, 3 SO) cranked the first pitch he saw 434 feet beyond the padded wall in right-center for his first pro homer, knotting the game at four.

Daytona grabbed the lead, 6-4, later in the inning on an RBI single from C Wilfred Astudillo (1-4, R, RBI, BB, 2 SO) and a bases-loaded walk to Johnson.

The Cardinals jumped in front again in the fifth. Buchberger trimmed the deficit to one, 6-5, on a run-producing single to left. Two hitters after, CF Tommy Jew (1-5, R, HR, 3 RBI, 3 SO) lofted a three-run homer — his second of the series and fifth of the year — to the left of dead center, putting Palm Beach ahead, 8-6.

Both teams traded tallies in the sixth, as the Redbirds collected two on back-to-back RBI singles from Buchberger and DH Todd Lott (1-4, RBI, BB). Steiger created Daytona’s run, as he walked, took second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on a walk, and scored on a wild pitch.

Despite suffering a blown save, RHP Francisco Justo (2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) garnered his second win of the campaign in relief for Palm Beach. Tortugas RHP Manuel Cachutt (3.0 IP, 4 H, R, ER, BB, 2 SO) was saddled with his first defeat after three frames of one-run ball.

Neither starter factored into the decision on Thursday. RHP José Franco (4.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) battled through four for Daytona, while Palm Beach’s LHP John Beller (2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 5 SO) appeared scheduled to have an abbreviated outing.

The ‘Tugas kick off their Father’s Day Weekend festivities on Friday, as the series against the Beach Birds continues. RHP Case Williams (0-3, 7.71) — Cincinnati’s No. 22 prospect per MLB Pipeline — is anticipated to take the ball for Daytona. RHP Inohan Paniagua (2-1, 3.52) projects to get the ball for Palm Beach. Gates open at 6 p.m. with the first pitch slated for 7:05 p.m. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:50 p.m.

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.