Lakeland lays the wood, shuts out Daytona, 5-0

LAKELAND, Fla. — With a chance to get above .500 for the first time since May 29, the Tortugas were upended from their goal on Saturday night. Lakeland's LHP Jack O'Loughlin struck out a career-high nine, as the Flying Tigers shutout the Daytona Tortugas, 5-0, at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Lakeland (31-50) jumped out to an early lead in the first and never looked back. LF Austin Murr (1-4, R, BB, SO) drew a one-out walk and moved to third on a wild pitch and a throwing error. After a two-out free pass to 1B Jake Holton (0-2, R, 2 BB, 2 SO), RF Ben Malgeri (1-4, 3B, 2 RBI) roped a 2-2 pitch into the right-centerfield gap. Both runners crossed on the three-base hit to put the Flying Tigers up a pair, 2-0.

In the fourth, Lakeland would continue to add. With the bases full thanks to a pair of singles and a walk, SS Trei Cruz (0-3, RBI, 2 BB, SO) drew a free pass on five pitches to force home a run and extend the lead to 3-0.

After a pitching change and a fly out to left, C Eliezer Alfonzo (1-3, 2 RBI, BB) ripped the second pitch he saw into center field for a knock. The 21-year-old was held at first with a two-run single to propel the Flying Tigers into the driver's seat, 5-0.

Daytona (41-42) had a few opportunities to break up the shutout bid, but could not push a runner home.

In the third, DH Danny Lantigua (1-3, SO) and C Daniel Vellojín (2-3, BB) singled, setting up runners at second and third with one out, but a line drive to right and a strikeout ended the threat.

The Tortugas garnered a pair of knocks from SS Ivan Johnson (1-3, BB, SO) and 2B Brandon Leyton (2-4, 2B) in the top of the seventh. However, with first and second and one out, a ground ball to third ignited an inning-ending, 5-3 double play.

One final opportunity to score came and went in the eighth, as Vellojín singled and 3B Elly De La Cruz (1-4, 2B) rifled a two-bagger with two down. A swinging strikeout would quell that attack, too.

O'Loughlin (6.0 IP, 3 H, BB, 9 SO) was superb for Lakeland on Saturday. The southpaw twirled 6.0 scoreless frames and punched out a career-best nine to earn his third win of the season. LHP Gabe Sequeira (3.0 IP, 4 H, BB, 4 SO) entered in the seventh and recorded the final nine outs to earn his team-leading fifth save.

RHP José Franco (3.0 IP, H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB) — who was unhittable for Daytona last Saturday vs. St. Lucie — struggled with his command. The 20-year-old walked four without registering a strikeout and was saddled with his third loss.

Daytona will attempt to earn the series victory in the season finale against Lakeland on Sunday afternoon. RHP Carlos Guzmán (3-8, 5.90) — who earned the win for the Flying Tigers on Tuesday — is anticipated to take the hill in the closing contest. The Tortugas must make a roster move to activate their starter for Sunday's ballgame. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 11:45 a.m. leading up to the 12 p.m. first pitch from Joker Marchant Stadium.

Daytona will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday, August 10, to open up a six-contest homestand against the Jupiter Hammerheads, Low-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. 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.