Wolforth's heroics wiggles Daytona to 11-inning win

FORT MYERS, Fla. — After making an outstanding defensive play in the bottom of the 10th to keep the game going, 1B Garrett Wolforth's RBI triple in the top of the 11th proved to be the difference, as the Daytona Tortugas outlasted the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, 7-5, in 11 innings on Friday night at Hammond Stadium.

Tied at five in the bottom of the tenth, Fort Myers (38-32) had runners at second and third with two out. 3B Jesús Feliz (2-5, RBI) proceeded to hit a 100 mph rocket to first. Wolforth — with his catching pedigree — was able to make the pick going to his left and stepped on the bag to prevent the winning run from scoring.

With one down in the top of the 11th, the 23-year-old became the offensive hero, as well. Batting left-handed, Wolforth (1-5, R, 3B, RBI, SO) smashed a liner down the line in right. CF Allan Cerda (0-4, R, 2 SO) — the automatic runner at second with the international tiebreaker rule in effect — scored easily from second, as the Montgomery, Texas native slid into third with a triple to put Daytona (33-37) back in front, 6-5.

Two pitches later, with the outfield playing shallow to try and cut off the run, 2B Brandon Leyton (1-5, 3B, RBI, SO) hit a towering drive over the right fielder's head. Wolforth scored easily, as Leyton dove headfirst into third with another run-scoring three-bagger, stretching the visitor's lead to two, 7-5.

In the bottom of the 11th, RHP Stevie Branche (2.0 IP, BB, 3 SO) finished the job. The 24-year-old struck out the leadoff batter and induced a pair of fly balls to right to close out the Daytona win and his fifth triumph in relief.

Daytona held a 5-3 advantage going to the bottom of the ninth before Fort Myers mustered a rally. CF-RF Willie Joe Garry Jr. (0-3, R, 2 BB, 3 SO) walked and LF Misael Urbina (1-3, R, RBI, BB) singled to place runners at the corners with one out. On the very first pitch he saw, SS Keoni Cavaco (1-6, 3B, 2 RBI, 4 SO) smashed a sinking line drive that snuck under the diving effort in left. Both runners scored as the ball rolled to the fence, as the 2019 first-round selection motored into third with a two-run, game-tying triple.

RHP Wes Robertson (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 2 SO) hung tough, striking out both 1B Aaron Sabato (0-4, BB, 4 SO) and DH Jeferson Morales (0-4, BB, 3 SO) to keep the game going.

The Tortugas squeaked out to an early 2-0 advantage, as C Daniel Vellojín (1-5, 2 R, 2B, RBI, BB, 2 SO) reached on a two-base error in the first before crossing on a ground out by SS Elly De La Cruz (0-5, BB, SO). An inning later, the Cartagena, Colombia native ripped a double into the left-center field gap to chase home another tally.

Fort Myers tied it in the bottom of the second on a single from Feliz and a sacrifice fly by Urbina and then scooted in front in the fourth on a bases-loaded wild pitch.

The Mighty Mussels' 3-2 advantage wouldn't last, though. In the top of the fifth, Vellojín drew a one-out walk before RF Austin Hendrick (2-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, SO) sent a 107.2 mph blur over the fence in right-center. His fourth home run of the season, and second of the series, put the Tortugas ahead once again, 4-3.

Neither starter factored into the decision on Friday. RHP Miguel Medrano (3.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 6 SO) struck out six over 3.1 innings for Daytona, while Fort Myers RHP Landon Leach (4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, ER, BB, 4 SO) punched out four in his Low-A Southeast debut.

RHP Carlos Suniaga (3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, ER, 5 SO) whiffed five out of the bullpen for the Mussels but suffered his second loss of the campaign.

RHP Sam Hellinger (3.0 IP, 5 SO) was sublime for Daytona out of the bullpen. The 26-year-old faced nine batters and retired them all — five via strikeout — to pick up a hold.

Looking to take the lead in the series, the Tortugas are scheduled to hand the ball to RHP Bryce Bonnin (1-0, 2.00) — Cincinnati's No. 15 prospect per MLB.com — on Saturday night. Fort Myers is projected to counter with RHP Orlando Rodríguez (1-0, 1.29). 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.