Tortugas throttle Hammerheads, 11-1, to even series

JUPITER, Fla. — A one-run game into the final two innings of regulation, the offense made sure the Tortugas did not have to sweat the final six outs. Daytona erupted for nine runs on seven hits over their final two trips to the plate, throttling the Jupiter Hammerheads, 11-1, on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

Ahead 2-1 entering the top of the eighth, C Logan Tanner (1-5, R, BB, SO) ignited the Tortugas' (17-33, 46-69) offense with a leadoff single to left. On the very next pitch, SS Edwin Arroyo (2-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 SO) celebrated his 19th birthday with a loud bang.

The Arecibo, P.R. native blasted a delivery beyond the right-field fence for a two-run home run, his first since being acquired by the Cincinnati Reds on July 30. His 14th overall clout tripled the Tortugas' lead to 4-1.

Daytona's offense would not stop there, as the first eight men to bat in the inning reached base. CF Justin Boyd (1-4, R, 2B, BB, SO) followed the home run by earning a walk, ending up at third thanks to a stolen base and a throwing error. After a walk to DH Yassel Pino (0-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB), 2B Johnny Ascanio (2-5, 2 R, RBI, SO) slapped a single past the drawn-in infield to stretch the advantage to four, 5-1.

LF Wendell Marrero (3-5, 3 R, 2B, RBI, SO) kept the onslaught going by smashing a grounder past the first baseman's mitt and into the right-field corner. Ascanio stopped at third on the Dorado, P.R.'s run-scoring double, expanding the Tortugas' edge to five, 6-1.

After a walk to 3B Austin Callahan (0-3, RBI, 2 BB, 2 SO) loaded the bases, RF Blake Dunn (2-2, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB) was plunked on his front left shoulder. The hit-by-pitch chased in a run to make it a 7-1 affair.

Following a pitching change, a double play ground ball brought in Daytona's sixth run of the inning. In all, the Tortugas sent 11 hitters to the plate in the eighth inning, scoring six runs on four hits.

After RHP Trey Braithwaite (2.0 IP, SO) retired Jupiter (23-28, 57-58) in order in the bottom of the frame — his first with the club — Daytona hung one last crooked number to finish the night.

Pino garnered a one-out walk and advanced to second on Ascanio's single to left. After a knock to center by Marrero loaded the bags, Callahan carried a sacrifice fly to center. All three runners advanced 90 feet, giving the Tortugas a 9-1 edge.

A wild pitch on ball four to Dunn enabled Ascanio to score from third and a run-producing knock to center from 1B Jack Rogers (1-5, RBI, BB, 2 SO) ballooned Daytona's cushion to double figures, 11-1. The single from the 23-year-old extended his team season-high hitting streak to 12-straight games.

The Tortugas carried a 2-1 lead into the final two innings thanks to single runs in the third and fourth. Marrero reached on an infield single to short with one out in the third and stole second base before scoring on a two-out knock to left by Dunn.

An inning later, Arroyo rifled a ground-rule double over the center-field fence to leadoff the frame. The now-19-year-old took third on a ground out and scored on a wormburner to short by Pino.

Jupiter scratched across their only run in the fifth. DH Kahlil Watson (0-4, R, BB, SO) reached with a walk to start the inning and advanced to second on a grounder before swiping third. SS Yiddi Cappe (1-2, RBI) poked a sacrifice fly to center to pull the Hammerheads within 2-1 at the time.

RHP José Acuña (4.2 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 5 BB, 2 SO) fell one out short of qualifying for the victory for the Tortugas, yielding only one run. RHP Brett Lockwood (2.1 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 5 SO) posted 2.1 scoreless innings and stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh when it was still a one-run affair. The 25-year-old was awarded his second win for his efforts.

Despite yielding just two tallies over five innings, LHP Justin Fall (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO) was saddled with his seventh defeat for Jupiter.

Daytona look to make it two-straight victories in game five of the series on Friday night. RHP Carson Rudd (1-0, 2.77) is scheduled to take the hill for the Tortugas. The Hammerheads are projected to give the ball to RHP Marcus Johnson (NR) — Miami's 2022 fourth-round pick — for his team debut. Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:15 p.m. leading up to the 6:30 p.m. first pitch from Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

The Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Tuesday, September 6, to open up their final homestand of the 2022 regular season against the Tampa Tarpons, the Florida State League affiliate of the New York Yankees. The series opens with another Shell Yeah Cookout. The $15 add-on includes the full “Bases Loaded” menu during a 90-minute buffet with hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork, baked beans, cookies, Pepsi products, and more. It is also a Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Radiology Associates Imaging. The Tortugas will don unique pink-clad uniforms that will be auctioned off at the end of the season with all proceeds to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. Silver Sluggers Night presented by Conviva is a part of the festivities. The exclusive 60-and-older club features deals at the team store, concession stands for members, and more. The series opener also marks a Taco Tuesday with options at the concession stands starting at just $3.

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 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.