Flying Tigers halt Tortugas' four-game win streak, 7-2

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Despite strong performances at the plate from CF Austin Hendrick and SS Ivan Johnson (2-4, 2B, SO), Daytona could not hold on to their early 2-0 advantage, as the Lakeland Flying Tigers snapped the Tortugas four-game win streak, 7-2, in front of 1,168 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday night.

Daytona (24-29) started the night hot, as C Garrett Wolforth (1-4, R, 2B, SO) and Hendrick (1-3, 2B, RBI, BB) garnered consecutive doubles in the first to stake a 1-0 lead.

An inning later, RF Danny Lantigua (0-3, R, BB, 2 SO) drew a two-out free pass and advanced to second on a wild pitch. 3B Gus Steiger (1-4, RBI, SO) followed with a run-scoring single through the hole between third and short to stretch the early advantage to two, 2-0.

However, Lakeland (17-34) responded by jumping ahead for good in the top of the third. After CF Victor Reyes (1-4, 2 R, RBI, SO) singled to start the rally, DH Gage Workman (2-5, R, 2B, 3B, RBI, SO) tripled into right-center field gap, pulling the Flying Tigers within one, 2-1.

2B Álvaro González (0-5, R, RBI, SO) then grounded a ball to second with the infield in, however, the throw to the dish glanced off the glove of the catcher, as Workman scored on the fielder’s choice to tie it at two. RF Jimmy Kerr (1-4, RBI) followed 3B Nick Quintana’s (2-3, RBI) single with one of his own, bringing in the go-ahead run to catapult Lakeland in front, 3-2.

The Flying Tigers continued padding their lead from there. Quintana delivered an RBI single to center in the fifth to double the edge to two, and SS Corey Joyce (1-3, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI) punished a two-run home run — his second overall of the season — to left-center in the sixth. A sacrifice fly from Reyes in the top of the ninth cemented Lakeland’s 7-2 victory.

RHP Williander Moreno (2.2 IP, H, BB, 4 SO) bounced back after suffering the defeat on Tuesday night. The Flying Tigers’ right-hander did not allow a run on one hit to earn his first win of the year. LHP Jack O’Loughlin (4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) got the start and took a no-decision in his Lakeland debut.

Making the first start of his professional career, RHP Frainger Aranguren (4.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, 2 SO) had just one blip on his radar in the third. Yet, the three runs in the inning were enough to saddle the 24-year-old with his fifth defeat.

The Tortugas’ Independence Day Homestand extravaganza wraps up on Sunday evening. During the game, fans will be able to bid in a silent auction set up on the concourse behind home plate with the proceeds going to support the family of wounded Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor. Following the final out, fans will be treated to a stupendous Postgame Fireworks show to commemorate the Fourth of July.

RHP Miguel Medrano (1-0, 0.00) — who took a no-decision on Tuesday — is expected to make his second start of the series for the ‘Tugas. Lakeland projects to counter with RHP Joseph Salazar (0-3, 9.23). Gates open at 5:30 p.m., while coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:20 p.m. The first pitch is slated for 6:35 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.