'Tugas ride early offense to scoot past Frogs, 6-4

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Tortugas erupted for four runs in the third inning and held off a late rally, as Daytona defeated the Florida Fire Frogs, 6-4, in front of 2,674 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Monday night.

Daytona (1-0, 36-30) wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard. In the bottom of the first, RF Andy Sugilio (2-3, 2 R, BB) reached on an infield single and advanced to third on a throwing error. With SS José Garcia (0-3, R, BB) at the plate, the 22-year-old crossed home on a wild pitch to give the Tortugas the lead, 1-0.
In the third, Daytona loaded the bases on a hit-by-pitch of Sugilio and walks to Garcia 3B Jonathan India (0-3, R, BB, SO). With two out, CF Stuart Fairchild (2-4, R, 2 2B, 2 RBI) cracked a deep fly over the centerfielder's head. The ball bounced over the fence for a ground-rule double - scoring two - to put the Tortugas up three, 3-0. 1B Bruce Yari (1-2, R, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SO) then followed with a laser into left-center field. Two more tallies were added on the 24-year-old's two-bagger to put the 'Tugas ahead 5-0.
From there, Florida (0-1, 25-42) began to chip away. The Fire Frogs snapped a 42.1-inning scoreless streak with an RBI knock to right by SS Riley Delgado (1-5, RBI, SO) in the sixth. An inning later, Florida whittled their deficit down to two, 5-3, on a solo home run to right by 3B Kevin Josephina (1-3, R, HR, RBI, BB) and a throwing error. In the eighth, 1B Drew Lugbauer (2-4, R, HR, RBI, SO) made it a one-run affair in the top of the eighth, 5-4, by crushing a towering solo blast over the batter's eye in dead center. 
The Tortugas would add a key insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. Yari drew a one-out free pass and C Hendrik Clementina (2-4, 2B, RBI, 2 SO) followed by punishing a ball into the right-centerfield gap. Reading the ball well on contact, the Waterloo, Ont. native scored from first on Clementina's double to put Daytona back in front by two, 6-4.
LHP Andy Cox (1.0 IP, BB, 3 SO) shut the door in the top of the ninth. The 25-year-old struck out three to finish the contest to collect his fourth Florida State League save.
In his first rehab game, 2B Scooter Gennett (0-2, BB) performed admirably. The 29-year-old played five innings - as scheduled - with a fly out to center, a ground out to second, and a four-pitch walk in three plate appearances. Gennett also fielded two grounders at second, including starting a double play in the fifth.
RHP Clate Schmidt (1.2 IP, H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) earned his first win in the Reds' organization, as the right-hander struck out a season-best four. Florida's RHP Matt Hartman (5.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO) suffered his second defeat in his second FSL start.
Daytona's RHP Ryan Lillie (4.0+ IP, 2 H, 3 SO) took a no-decision in his start. The 23-year-old exited the game after facing one batter in the fifth with an apparent hand injury.
LHP Wennington Romero (0-0, 3.68 ERA) is expected to take the mound for Daytona as they look to win their fifth-straight contest on Wednesday. Florida is scheduled to counter with RHP Nolan Kingham (3-5, 5.12 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.