Tortugas Swat Six Pack of Homers to Topple Tarpons 16-7
TAMPA, FL—Cade Hunter and Carlos Jorge both homered twice to lead a six home-run attack as the Daytona Tortugas slugged their way past the Tampa Tarpons 16-7 in the series opener on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Daytona (4-0, 33-36) won their fourth straight game thanks to hitting
TAMPA, FL—Cade Hunter and Carlos Jorge both homered twice to lead a six home-run attack as the Daytona Tortugas slugged their way past the Tampa Tarpons 16-7 in the series opener on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Daytona (4-0, 33-36) won their fourth straight game thanks to hitting six homers for the first time since 2005 and setting a season high for runs scored, pummeling Tampa (2-2, 33-37) in the first meeting between the two clubs in 2023.
In the first inning, Daytona struck first off Tampa starter Leonardo Pestana. With two outs, Sal Stewart sent a ball the other way for a solo home run, his third in four games and fifth of the season. An inning later, Yassel Pino led off with a solo blast to left, his third of the season, to put Daytona in front 2-0.
However, in the bottom of the second, Tampa went to work against Daytona starter Bryce Hubbart. Two walks opened the inning, which was followed by a walk to Jake Palmer to bring in a run. After another free pass loaded the bases, an error brought in the tying run. A sacrifice fly and fielder’s choice proceeded to bring in two more runs, which not only chased Hubbart, but put Tampa in front 4-2.
In the third, though, Daytona went back to the longball. Jorge drew a leadoff walk and came home three batters later when Hunter launched his first home run off the game, a towering shot that barely reached the short porch in right for a two-run shot that tied the game at 4-4.
An inning later, Daytona pulled ahead for good. Victor Acosta led off with a single then motored all the way home on a Logan Tanner RBI double. Jorge followed with a line drive that cleared the right field fence for a two-run shot, putting Daytona ahead 7-4.
An inning later, the Tortugas put the Tarpons in the rear-view mirror. Hunter led off the frame with his second homer of the night, a line shot that just cleared the fence down the right field line. However, three more walks would follow, loading the bases with two outs for Jorge. Jorge then belted a 1-0 delivery to right that cleared the fence for a grand slam, the first for a Tortuga in 2023. It also gave him six RBI, the most by a Tortuga this season. The lead was now 12-5 Daytona after a five-run frame.
Two MORE homers in the 5th: one from @cadehunter17 (his second tonight) and a GRAND SLAM from Carlos Jorge (also his 2nd HR tonight) 🤯🤯🤯
— Daytona Tortugas (@daytonatortugas) June 29, 2023
12-5 Tortugas at the halfway point! pic.twitter.com/6SVNWl1UYX
After a half-dozen homers in five innings, Daytona was done leaving the yard, but they continued to add on. Two walks and an error in the sixth loaded the bases for Yerlin Confidan, who proceeded to pull a 3-1 pitch into the right-field corner for a bases-clearing triple, stretching the lead to 15-5.
On the other side, Ryan Cardona shut down the Tampa offense after entering the contest for Hubbart in the second. The right-hander allowed a solo home run to Brenny Escanio in the fourth inning, but otherwise allowed just one walk. Cardona (1-1) tied season highs with 4.1 innings and seven strikeouts, earning his first win of the season.
Rob Hensey walked the bases loaded, but worked out of the jam to pitch a scoreless seventh, which was followed by an RBI double from Confidan in the eighth, his fourth RBI of the night.
Brody Jessee came on in the bottom of the eighth and struck out the side before faltering in the ninth, allowing five baserunners in total, including a two-run home run to Anthony Hall. Joseph Menefee came on with the bases loaded and two outs, though, and induced a flyout to end the game, capping off a 16-7 victory to open the series.
The Tortugas will play game two against the Tampa Tarpons on Thursday night. Daytona will send RHP Arij Fransen (2-5, 5.71) to the mound opposite LHP Brock Selvidge (3-4, 3.65) for Tampa. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday with pregame coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network with the Voice of the Tortugas Brennan Mense begins at 6:15 from George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Daytona Tortugas single-game tickets and ticket packages are on sale now at daytonatortugas.com, (386) 257-3172, or the box office at 110 East Orange Ave.
ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGAS
The Daytona Tortugas are the Single-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of Minor League Baseball’s Florida State League. The Tortugas play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in downtown Daytona Beach, Fla. 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.