'Tugas avoid sweep, hold off Threshers, 7-5

CLEARWATER, Fla. - After being out of the lineup since Tuesday, C Hendrik Clementina remerged with a bang. The 22-year-old clubbed a home run and drove in four, as the Daytona Tortugas prevented a sweep with a 7-5 win over the Clearwater Threshers on Sunday afternoon at Spectrum Field.

Scoreless into the third, 1B Bruce Yari (1-5, R, HR, RBI, 2 SO) jump-started the offense. On a 3-1 offering, the 24-year-old launched a home run over the wall in right for a solo blast. His fourth home run of the season gave the Tortugas (3-4, 38-34) the lead, 1-0.
Still up by a run in the sixth, Daytona put the first two men on-base with a single from 2B Alejo López (3-5, 2 R, SO) and a walk to CF Stuart Fairchild (1-2, 2 R, BB). Following a fly out and a strikeout, Clementina (1-3, R, HR, 4 RBI, SO) whipped a 3-1 pitch to deep left-center. The blast sailed onto the grassy berm for a three-run blast - his sixth of the campaign - to extend the Tortugas advantage to four, 4-0.
More insurance was compiled in the eighth. After a bunt single and consecutive hit-by-pitches loaded the bases, the 'Tugas pulled ahead by six thanks to a wild pitch and a passed ball that scored López and Fairchild. Clementina then added a sacrifice fly to center to extend the visitor's edge to 7-0.
However, Clearwater (5-2, 41-32) would not go quietly. The Threshers scratched across four runs in the eighth on an RBI single by 3B Madison Stokes (3-5, R, 2 RBI, SO), run-scoring ground outs from 1B Luke Miller (1-4, RBI, BB, 2 SO) and LF Matt Kroon (0-4, RBI), as well as a wild pitch.
A 7-4 affair entering the ninth, LHP Andy Cox (1.0 IP, H, BB, SO) entered with one on and nobody out to try and seal the victory. The 25-year-old enabled the inherited runner to score on an RBI knock from Stokes, but that was all. Cox punched out Miller swinging to end the contest and secured his sixth Florida State League save.
LHP Wennington Romero (7.0 IP, 6 H, BB, 6 SO) was stellar for Daytona on Sunday. The 21-year-old did not yield a run over seven innings of work, collecting his first win of the season.
Clearwater's RHP Colton Eastman (6.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO) punched out eight but issued two home runs. The former fourth-round selection suffered his third defeat since joining the Threshers.
Following Monday's off day, Daytona will return home to open up a nine-game homestand with a three-contest set against the Tampa Tarpons, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, on Tuesday, June 25. RHP Mac Sceroler (3-1, 3.95 ERA) is expected to take the hill for the 'Tugas. Tampa is scheduled to counter with RHP Trevor Stephan (0-0, -.-- ERA). 
The Tortugas Pre-Game Show will kick off the broadcast at 6:50 p.m. ET, leading up to the 7:05 p.m. ET start at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Tuesday evening's game can be heard on www.daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
It will be a Silver Sluggers Night presented by MetCare at the ballpark, as members of the Tortugas' exclusive 60-and-older club receive a free drink, discounted Michelob Ultra, and a reserved ticket for every Tuesday night home game. Fans will also be able to join in with Baseball Bingo through the night. It will be another Cancer Awareness Night at the ballpark presented by Radiology Imaging Centers. Daytona players and coaches will don special pink-tinted uniforms that highlight many local cancer survivors. Fans are encouraged to come hungry for a Taco Tuesday at The Jack with beef and chicken tacos going for just $2.
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.