Tortugas use Drew to Mount Flying Tigers, 7-6
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Thanks to CF Drew Mount 's go-ahead RBI double in the bottom of the eighth, the Daytona Tortugas were able to outlast the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 7-6, to complete the sweep in front of 2,168 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Saturday night.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Thanks to CF
Tied at six going to the bottom of the eighth, 3B Jonathan India (1-1, 2 R, 3 BB) ignited the rally with a one-out single to left. After swiping second base, Mount (2-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI) drove a 3-0 offering to deep right field. The shot sailed over
Closing out the contest was not easy, as RHP Ryan Nutof (1.0 IP, H, BB, SO) enabled the bases to get filled on a pair of walks - one intentional - and a single with one out. However, the 23-year-old bore down. Nutof got Rosa (3-5, 2B) to line out to short and SS Cole Peterson (1-4, BB) to ground out to first to end the contest.
After Lakeland (14-20) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a solo home run to right by 2B Kody Clemens (2-3, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB, SO) - his fourth of the year - and a sacrifice fly by 1B Zac Shepherd (0-3, RBI, BB, SO), Daytona's offense exploded in the fourth.
DH Stuart Fairchild (2-4, R) was plunked to begin the attack and proceeded to swipe second and advance to third on a throwing error. RF Andy Sugilio (1-3, R, 2B, RBI) then collected the 'Tugas first hit and run batted in of the night, lacing a run-scoring double to left-center.
Now down 2-1, consecutive walks to C Mark Kolozsvary (0-3, R, BB, SO) and LF Randy Ventura (0-2, R, 2 BB) loaded the bases for SS José Garcia (1-5, R, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 SO). The 21-year-old sprayed a grounder down the left-field line for a two-run double to give the Tortugas their first lead, 3-2. Following a sacrifice fly by 2B Alejo Lopez (0-3, RBI, BB, 3 SO), India drew a free pass to put a pair on base. Mount then proceeded to deliver his first big knock of the game - a two-run double to left - to stretch the advantage to four, 6-2.
The lead did not last long, as Lakeland tied it at six in the top of the fifth. 3B A.J. Simcox (1-3, R, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, SO) ripped an RBI double into left-center field to pull the Flying Tigers within three, 6-3. Immediately after a hit batter, CF Brock Deatherage (2-5, 2 R, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 SO) ripped a laser over the wall in left. The game-tying three-run blast was his first home run of the year.
RHP Cory Thompson (2.0 IP, H, SO) was superb in relief again, facing the minimum in two innings of work to garner his Florida State League-lead-tying fifth win of the year for Daytona. Flying Tigers' RHP Jason Foley (1.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, SO) surrendered the game-deciding run in the eighth to suffer his second defeat. Nutof tallied the final three outs in the ninth to collect save number four.
Neither starter factored into the decision on Saturday. In his first start of the season, Tortugas' RHP Mac Sceroler (3.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 4 SO) surrendered two runs on six hits in three innings. Lakeland's RHP Elvin Rodríguez (3.1 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 5 BB, 3 SO) only yielded two hits but walked five and permitted five runs to cross.
Following Sunday's off day, the Tortugas will travel west for a seven-game road trip, starting with a four-contest series beginning on Monday against the Charlotte Stone Crabs, High-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. LHP Reíver Sanmartín (1-2, 5.03 ERA) is projected to toe the slab for the 'Tugas in the lid-lifter. Charlotte is expected to counter with RHP Paul Campbell (3-3, 5.64 ERA).
The Tortugas Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:15 p.m. ET, leading up to the 6:30 p.m. ET start at Charlotte Sports Park. Monday evening's game can be heard on daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
Following the road swing, Daytona will return home to The Jack to open up a four-game series against the Clearwater Threshers, High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, on Monday, May 20. It will be another Belly Buster Monday presented by Marco's Pizza, as a $13 game ticket gives fans access to all-you-can-eat hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, and popcorn. Additionally, it will also be Taste of Daytona Night with local eateries from Daytona Beach and Volusia County will provide samples on the Riverwalk, as a part of the Belly Buster Monday festivities. That evening's contest will be a twinbill starting at 5:30 p.m. ET with gates opening at 4 p.m. ET. Both contests will be seven innings in length with a roughly 30-minute break in between contests.
Multi-game plans and single-game tickets are still 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 High-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of the 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 Beijing Shougang Eagles of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) and many large community events and initiatives throughout the season.