Marrero mashes Tortugas to victory, 7-1

Wendell records first career mutli-homer game, as 'Tugas clock three dingers for third-straight game

LF Wendell Marrero recorded the first multi-home run game of his career, smashing a go-ahead solo homer in the sixth and adding another solo blast in the ninth, as the Tortugas slugged their way past the Mighty Mussels, 7-1, on Wednesday night at Hammond Stadium. (Noah Goldberg)

By Justin Rocke

July 21, 2021

FORT MYERS, Fla. — For the third-straight game, Daytona cracked a trio of home runs — two courtesy of LF Wendell Marrero — as the Tortugas powered their way to a 7-1 victory against the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels on Wednesday night at Hammond Stadium. Fort Myers (37-31) jumped out

FORT MYERS, Fla. — For the third-straight game, Daytona cracked a trio of home runs — two courtesy of LF Wendell Marrero — as the Tortugas powered their way to a 7-1 victory against the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels on Wednesday night at Hammond Stadium.

Fort Myers (37-31) jumped out to an early lead. 2B Yunior Severino (1-4, R, SO) singled to start the bottom of the second and moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt. DH Charles Mack (1-3, RBI, SO) ripped an RBI single to left to give the Mussels the early edge, 1-0.

In the fourth, the Tortugas (32-36) started to utilize the long ball. On the first pitch of the inning, SS Elly De La Cruz (3-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, SO) laced a ball onto the boardwalk in left-center for his first Low-A Southeast home run. The 19-year-old's fourth overall homer of the campaign tied the game at one.

Marrero (2-5, 2 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 SO) started his own personal home run barrage in the sixth. Leading off the frame, the Dorado, P.R. native cracked a line drive that sneaked over the right-field fence and in front of the bleachers for a solo home run. His fourth of the season gave Daytona the lead, 2-1.

The Tortugas began to string together some hits to create added cushioning in the seventh. DH Ivan Johnson (1-4, R, BB, SO) drew a one-out walk and advanced to third on a single to right by 2B Brandon Leyton (1-5, R, SO). De La Cruz slashed his third hit and second RBI of the night with a single through the right side of the infield.

After a line drive to left, CF Allan Cerda (2-4, R, RBI, BB, SO) continued the attack, as the 21-year-old ripped another ground ball into right field for a hit. Leyton scored on the single to put Daytona up three, 4-1. RF Austin Hendrick (2-5, RBI, 3 SO) followed with a run-producing knock of his own to stretch the advantage to four, 5-1.

In the ninth, the 'Tugas added the cherry to the top of the sundae. Marrero cranked another 1-2 offering with one down in the inning, this time it nearly sailed out of the ballpark on a fly. The 20-year-old banged one to the back off the right-field seats and out of the stadium on a bounce for his second home run of the night and his fifth of the campaign.

Cerda followed with a walk, moved to third on a single to right from Hendrick, and then scored to put Daytona ahead 7-1 on a base-hit to center from C Daniel Vellojín (3-3, 2B, RBI, 2 BB).

RHP Jason Parker (6.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, BB, 3 SO) didn't register the strikeout numbers he had in his previous two starts, but was effective nonetheless. The North Carolina State alum tied a career-best with 6.0 innings pitched, surrendering just a run on three hits to earn his third victory.

Daytona gave the ball to RHP Manuel Cachutt (3.0 IP, H, BB, 3 SO) out of the bullpen and he guided the team the rest of the way. The 24-year-old tossed 3.0 scoreless innings of relief to earn his second save of the season.

RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long (6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 11 SO) tied a career-high with 11 strikeouts and set a new season-high for an opposing starter against the Tortugas. However, the Mighty Mussels starter was saddled with his fourth defeat.

Boynton Beach, Fla. native RHP James Marinan (1-3, 6.75) is expected to make the start for Daytona on Thursday, as they look to make it consecutive victories. Fort Myers is anticipated to counter with LHP Brent Headrick (3-4, 3.65). Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:45 p.m. leading up to the 7 p.m. first pitch from Hammond Stadium.

Daytona will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday, July 27, to open up a six-contest homestand against the St. Lucie Mets, Low-A affiliate of the New York Mets. It will be a Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Radiology Associates Imaging, as Daytona players and coaches will don special pink-tinted uniforms to mark the occasion. Silver Sluggers Night — the best club in baseball for fans 60-and-over — presented by Conviva Cares Solutions will also be a part of the festivities. Fans can get in on deals at the concession stand with $2.50 Michelob Ultra draft beers.

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.