'Tugas rally, top Threshers in walk-off, 8-7

Daytona scores three in eighth to tie, add two in 10th to win

1B Bruce Yari sparked a comeback with a two-run triple in the bottom of the eighth, as the Daytona Tortugas rallied from three down to defeated the Clearwater Threshers in 10 innings, 8-7, in front of 1,081 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Wednesday night. (Aldrin Capulong)

By Justin Rocke

May 22, 2019

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Trailing by three with just four outs left to play, the Tortugas rallied to tie the game in the eighth and won it with two runs in the 10th, as Daytona stunned the Clearwater Threshers, 8-7, in front of 1,081 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Wednesday

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Trailing by three with just four outs left to play, the Tortugas rallied to tie the game in the eighth and won it with two runs in the 10th, as Daytona stunned the Clearwater Threshers, 8-7, in front of 1,081 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Wednesday night.

Down 6-3 in the eighth, Daytona (25-21) put a pair on courtesy of walks. After back-to-back strikeouts, 1B Bruce Yari (1-4, R, 3B, 2 RBI, BB) smashed a towering drive to left-center. The ball clanged off the fence, as two runs scored on the 24-year-old's triple, pulling the Tortugas within one, 6-5. The next batter - 2B Yonathan Mendoza (1-4, R, RBI, BB, SO) - then tied it at six with an RBI single to center.
After both teams failed to score in the ninth, Clearwater (22-24) regained the lead in the top of the 10th. After a wild pitch enabled the tiebreaking runner - 2B Nick Maton (2-4, 2 R, RBI, BB, SO) - to move to third, 3B Daniel Brito (0-4, RBI, SO) lofted a sacrifice fly to left, putting the Threshers ahead, 7-6.
In the bottom of the frame, a lack of command spelled doom for Clearwater. A pair of walks loaded the bases with nobody out for SS José Garcia (1-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, SO). The second pitch he saw drilled him in the back, forcing home a run to even the contest up at seven. On a 3-2 offering, LF Stuart Fairchild (1-4, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SO) took a delivery inside for ball four. The free pass forced home the game-winning run, enabling the Tortugas to walk-off as winners.
Daytona initially jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second on a home run to left - his first of the year - by CF Drew Mount (1-4, R, HR, RBI, BB, SO). Clearwater then scooted in front in the top of the third, scoring three times on a pair of errors and a single to right by Maton.
Fairchild whittled the Tortugas' deficit to one in the bottom of the third with a run-producing single to center. In the fifth, Daytona knotted the ballgame up at three on a double over the third-base bag by Garcia.
The Threshers would regain the advantage in the sixth, 5-3, on RBI singles by CF Simón Muzziotti (2-5, 2 R, RBI, SO) and DH Alec Bohm (1-5, RBI, 3 SO). Clearwater added another run in the seventh on a base-hit to right from C Colby Fitch (1-3, RBI).
RHP Ryan Nutof (2.0 IP, R) earned his second win of the year in relief, yielding just one unearned run in the 10th. RHP Luis Cedeño (1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, ER, 6 BB) struggled tremendously with his command. The 24-year-old walked six, suffering his first loss of 2019.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Daytona's RHP Mac Sceroler (4.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, BB, 6 SO) did not yield an earned run and punched out a year-best six. RHP Andrew Brown (5.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, 4 SO) lasted five innings for the Threshers.
Daytona will look to keep the winning vibes going on Thursday, as the Fort Myers Miracle, High-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, come to town to open up a four-game series. LHP Reíver Sanmartín (1-3, 5.01 ERA) is slated to toe the slab for the 'Tugas in the series' lid-lifter. The Miracle are expected to counter with LHP Charlie Barnes (2-2, 8.28 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. Thursday evening's contest can be heard on daytonatortugas.com or via the TuneIn Radio and MiLB First Pitch apps.
The weekend gets underway with a Thirsty Thursday presented by Bud Light. Fans are encouraged to come out and be a part of the biggest party in Central Florida, as draft beers and fountain sodas can be purchased for just $1 all evening long.
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.