Branche, bullpen blow away Marauders, 4-3

Trio of relievers unite to twirl 7.1 innings of shutout ball, strike out 13 to stop skid

RHP Stevie Branche recorded nine outs — all of them courtesy of the strikeout — as he, RHP Ian Koch, and RHP Vin Timpanelli combined for 7.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen in the Tortugas' 4-3 victory over the Bradenton Marauders before 1,367 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Friday night. (Aldrin Capulong)

By Justin Rocke

July 17, 2021

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Behind early for the fourth-straight night, Daytona rose to the occasion. RHP Stevie Branche recorded all nine of his outs via the strikeout, as he, RHP Ian Koch, and RHP Vin Timpanelli combined to throw 7.1 innings of scoreless relief in the Tortugas' 4-3 victory over

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Behind early for the fourth-straight night, Daytona rose to the occasion. RHP Stevie Branche recorded all nine of his outs via the strikeout, as he, RHP Ian Koch, and RHP Vin Timpanelli combined to throw 7.1 innings of scoreless relief in the Tortugas' 4-3 victory over the Bradenton Marauders before 1,367 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Friday night.

Bradenton (41-22) began the second inning with a walk to DH Eli Wilson (0-3, R, 2 BB, 2 SO), who took second on a wild pitch. Following a single by 1B Alexander Mojica (1-4, R, SO), another errant delivery allowed Wilson to score to put the Marauders in front, 1-0. After a walk and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, C Endy Rodríguez (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 SO) laced a two-run double to right-center to push the advantage to 3-0.

With one out in the bottom of the inning, the Tortugas (29-35) began to pounce. Consecutive walks to 1B Garrett Wolforth (1-3, R, BB, SO) and CF Allan Cerda (0-2, R, 2 BB, 2 SO) brought 3B Leo Seminati (2-4, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, 2 SO) to the dish as the tying run. On an 0-1 offering, the Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy native plastered one over the fence in left-center for a three-run home run. His team-high-tying fifth of the season drew Daytona even, 3-3.

Seminati was at it again in the fifth. The 22-year-old banged a 110-plus mph line drive off the left-field wall for a single before scooting up 90 feet on a wild pitch. After a strikeout and walk to SS Ivan Johnson (0-2, BB, SO), 2B Brandon Leyton (1-4, SO) dunked a single to center to load the bases.

C Daniel Vellojín (0-2, RBI, BB, SO) proceeded to send a towering drive to deep left, but it was hauled in on the warning track. Seminati scored on the sacrifice fly to give Daytona their first lead of the series, 4-3.

From that point forward, the Tortugas' bullpen pressed down on the throttle. Koch (3.1 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 SO) helped starter RHP Miguel Medrano (1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) strand a pair of baserunners in the second before hoisting a season-high 3.1 shutout frames.

Branche (3.0 IP, 3 BB, 9 SO) emerged in the sixth and was untouchable. The 24-year-old registered all nine of his outs on strikeouts, the final three coming with the tying and go-ahead runs in aboard in the eighth.

In the ninth, it was Timpanelli's (1.0 IP, H, BB, 2 SO) turn to shine. The Staten Island, N.Y. resident whiffed the first two batters he faced — to make it 11-straight outs courtesy of the strikeout — before inducing a fly out to left, once again, with the tying and go-ahead runs on-base. Timpanelli sealed the 4-3 triumph and his Low-A Southeast-leading ninth save of the season.

Despite allowing only two hits all night, Bradenton's RHP Logan Hofmann (4.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 6 SO) suffered his second defeat in his fifth professional start. Medrano received a no-decision for Daytona.

Fans are advised to arrive at the ballpark early on Saturday, as a part of The Office Night, the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a limited edition Recyclops Bobblehead Giveaway courtesy of bowlingball.com. Gates will open at 6 p.m. sharp with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

19-year-old RHP Case Williams (1-5, 6.63) — Cincinnati's No. 20 prospect per MLB.com — is projected to make the start for Daytona as they look to win two-straight. Bradenton is anticipated to counter with RHP Adrian Florencio (3-2, 2.68). 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.