Leo leads the way, as 'Tugas snap small skid, 6-1

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Looking to snap a brief three-game slide, 1B Leo Seminati ignited the offense in the sixth. His two-run home run was the first of three long balls for Daytona, as the Tortugas tripped up the Palm Beach Cardinals, 6-1, in front of 889 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Wednesday night.

Scoreless through five, Daytona (45-47) broke up the string of zeroes with two out in the sixth. RF Austin Hendrick (1-4, R, 2 SO) ripped a base hit to right and, on the very next pitch, Seminati (2-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, SO) sent one out of sight. The 22-year-old's shot — his 10th of the season — sailed beyond the batting cages in straightaway left for a two-run blast to put Daytona ahead 2-0.

However, the Tortugas were not done. SS José Torres (1-4, R, HR, RBI, SO) — making his Daytona debut — flung his bat-head at a pitch down and away and golfed a delivery off the netting of the cages in left. The Cincinnati Reds' third-round selection's first 'Tuga homer — the second of his career — padded the advantage to 3-0.

Palm Beach (28-60) snatched one of those runs back in the top of the seventh on a two-out home run to center by CF Mike Antico (1-4, R, HR, RBI, BB, SO), but a two-run deficit was as close as the visitors would get the rest of the night.

LF Danny Lantigua (1-3, R, SO) kickstarted the home seventh with a single to center and promptly stole second before scoring on a single to left from DH Michael Trautwein (1-3, R, RBI, 2 SO). After a pair of strikeouts and a wild pitch, CF Allan Cerda (2-4, R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, SO) added to the home run barrage.

The 21-year-old ripped a 1-0 offering to the left of dead center field for a two-run clout. Cerda's team-leading 13th home run of the season cushioned the Tortugas' lead to five, 6-1.

Daytona's bullpen took over from there. RHP Frainger Aranguren (4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 SO) collected 4.0 shutout frames in support of RHP James Proctor (2.0 IP, H, 3 BB, 3 SO) — making his second start since being reinstated from the injured list on August 8 — to earn his sixth win of the season.

RHP Anthony Zimmerman (2.0 IP, H, R, ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) permitted a solo home run to Antico in the seventh, but whiffed four, while RHP Jake Gozzo (1.0 IP, 2 BB) recorded the final three outs in the ninth to seal the 6-1 win.

Palm Beach's RHP Dionys Rodríguez (5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 8 SO) struck out a career-high eight but took a no-decision. LHP Levi Prater (1.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 SO) permitted all six runs and suffered his sixth loss of the campaign out of the bullpen.

The series continues as the biggest party in Central Florida returns to the oldest ballpark in Minor League Baseball courtesy of a Thirsty Thursday presented by Bud Light. All those in attendance can beat the heat with fountain drinks and draft beers starting at as low as $1.

RHP José Franco (1-3, 6.41) — who has not allowed a run on just one hit and 17 strikeouts in his last two home starts — is anticipated to take the hill for the Tortugas in game three of the series on Thursday evening. The Cardinals are expected to counter with RHP Edgar Manzo (4-3, 3.83). Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:50 p.m. leading up to the 7:05 p.m. first pitch from Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

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.